Ask the Mayor: Stink by Kalama; Street Numbers; Streetlights

The mayor answers questions from the public in this series.

By Mayor Arakawa

Kalama Park, file photo by Wendy Osher.

Q: Wanted to know what is going on with the Kalama Wastewater station. Also, why the stink still in Kalama neighborhood? What is being done? Thank you.

A: Contractors are working on an upgrade of the odor control unit at the Kihei No. 6 Pump Station at Kalama Park. The county project involves rehabilitating the wetwell; the new odor control unit is expected to alleviate the odor concerns at the pump station.

Q: My job that requires me to locate houses. Many houses and properties do not have visible addresses. Is there a county ordinance requiring property owners to display their addresses? This would be helpful not only to me, but also to ambulance drivers, police and fire fighters. Thank you for your consideration.

A: Yes. Maui County Code Chapter 12.32, “Numbering of Buildings,” requires that all owners of buildings and property for which a street number or numbers have been assigned by the Department of Public Works shall “install on or affix to each building the number or numbers applicable thereto in such a manner as to be readily seen from the roadway.” The code also specifies that the numbers should be at least two inches tall, and a different color than the background they are installed on. If a building is not visible from the roadway, the street number should be placed on a post, mailbox, or other object near the property’s driveway in a color that can be readily seen. Maui County Code Chapter 19.530.030 also provides for administrative enforcement, including a notice of violation, a civil fine not to exceed $1,000, or a civil fine not to exceed $1,000 per day that the violation persists.

Q: I wanted to bring to your attention the fact that our neighborhood is very dark. I don’t feel safe at night, and it’s difficult to see if someone is walking by or a bicyclist is passing when you’re reversing your vehicle out of your driveway. Can we please have street lights on our street? I live on Ainakea Road in Lahaina. It would be greatly appreciated if we could make that happen.

A: For county roads, such as Ainakea Road in Lahaina, new street lights may be requested by first filling out a form with our Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works. The form can be found online at www.mauicounty.gov/engineering; click on “Street Light Application and Instructions.” All requests for new lights must first be reviewed by the Outdoor Lighting Standards Committee, which will make a recommendation to the director. Recommendations approved by the director are then installed once any engineering and funding constraints are met.

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, Hawaii 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.