Executing search warrants on unsheltered people living in tents (and those with double-door entrances) got a little easier
State v. Keanaaina (HSC March 22, 2022). Background. Police get a warrant to search Michelle Wright’s tent at an encampment inside the Old Kona Airport Park on the Big Island. The warrant authorized the police to search her campsite and “all rooms, boxes, toolboxes, suitcase, handbags, safes, backpacks, fanny packs, bags, storage containers” and other enclosed things in the camp. The officers get to the camp sight and announce their presence asking everyone to get out of their tents. There were seven separate sites at the time. There was no obvious entrance or exit for Wright’s camp sight, but officers were able to get into the tent without moving materials that formed its walls. Detective Michael Hardie looked into the tent and saw Wright and Samson Keanaaina asleep on a mattress. He again announced his presence. Wright woke up and got out through an opening on one end of the structure. Keanaaina slept through the police shouting at him. Wright explained he was hard of hearing