Ask the Mayor: Sandbags, State ID, Short-Term Rentals
Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his staff.
Mr. Mayor,
Q: Other counties in Hawaiʻi provide free sand bags and filling material prior to major storms (other places in US provide them year round). Will Maui create a network of these flood property and life saving resources?
A: It’s true that Hawaiʻi County provides sand bags and sand to the community. However Maui County, the City and County of Honolulu and Kauaʻi County do not hand out sand bags, instead we provide locations to the public where sand bags are available.
Dear Mayor Alan Arakawa,
Q: I want to know why it costs $80 for a State ID. People who do not drive are forced to obtain an ID for daily transactions such as banking and traveling and usually live on a fixed income. I see this expensive fee to be another hardship on those least able to afford this fee. Shame on you and the County of Maui for your heartless actions that penalize our over taxed and burdened citizens.
A: I’m sorry but the price for a State ID is set by the State of Hawaiʻi, not the County of Maui or any other county. The counties are in charge of Drivers License and Drivers License renewal fees.
Aloha Mayor,
Q: Does the county investigate illegal short-term rentals? Seems like it would be a goldmine for public funds with all the violations out there.
A: According to the Department of Planning, they annually investigate around 700 cases and do collect a considerable amount of fines. For example, for Fiscal Year 2018 the county collected $225,000 in fines.
Want to ask the Mayor?
Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email:[email protected], phone: 270-7855 or mail: 200 S. High Street 9th Floor, Wailuku, Hawaiʻi 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the Ask the Mayor column.
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