Kokua Line

By June Watanabe

Friday, January 24, 1997

Police working to oust
cockfights at old cane road

Who is responsible for the old cane haul road near the end of Waipahu Street and the H-2 offramp? There is illegal cockfighting going on there every weekend. Can someone put a lock on the big gate there?

It's a problem that police and the property owner are aware of and have been trying to stop since the cockfighters set up shop there a few months ago.

Amfac-JMB Hawaii, which operated the now closed Oahu Sugar mill, sold the road about two years ago to Bethel Chapel Assembly of God in Waipahu.

Church leaders have been trying to stop people - including people dumping trash - from trespassing, said senior pastor Cris Bartolome. But locks have been broken and "no trespassing" signs ripped out.

The 400-member congregation hopes to build a 550-seat church and multipurpose center to service youths, seniors and immigrants, Bartolome said. But it's contingent on the state Transportation Department selling the right-of-way there. Negotiations are continuing.

"We only bought the road, but with a strong belief and faith that we will be able to build the church," Bartolome said.

Now, a sturdy wooden cockfighting "ring" erected by the cockfighting organizers sits on the right-of-way in the exact spot planned for the church. Nearby, Bartolome pointed to remnants of tables, where vendors sell food and drink on cockfighting day. "It's like a bazaar," he said.

The church has been accused of being a part of the cockfights, "which is ridiculous," he said.

In fact, Bartolome has received calls from organizers who wanted to "make a deal. We say we are not interested."

The activity has lessened since police were notified, he said. In fact, there was no cockfighting last weekend, said police Officer Germaine Hall of the Pearl City station. Undercover vice officers also were notified.

Cockfighting is illegal not only because it involves gambling, but also because the birds are outfitted with gaffes, "which is a separate violation," she said.

"They will probably relocate," Hall said of the cockfighters. "We just have to be consistent" in cracking down on them.