Ask the Mayor: Who is the Fool in Front of the Courthouse?

The mayor answers questions from the public in this series.

By Mayor Alan Arakawa

Q: Every 4th of July and New Year’s Eve the kids in my neighborhood start setting off fireworks days before the holiday. They keep popping fireworks a couple days afterward, and on New Year’s Eve some neighbors go all-out with an amazing display of aerial fireworks. Isn’t it illegal to light fireworks before or after the respective holiday, and illegal to launch aerials?

A: You are correct: Fireworks can only be legally set off during designated times. For the 4th of July, the allowed window of time is from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Setting off fireworks outside the designated time is punishable by law; violations are subject to fines of up to $2,000. Aerial fireworks are illegal and extremely dangerous; importing and selling aerials without a permit is a Class C Felony. Our Fire Prevention Bureau has a number of safety tips and guidelines for enjoying fireworks safely, especially 4th of July festivities that occur during the dry summer season. View the safety tips online at www.mauicounty.gov/FirePrevention under “Quick Links.”

Q: I live in Kula and was wondering if there were any plans to install speed humps on Upper Kimo Drive? Right now people have to slow down because the road is junk and the Water Department is making upgrades to the system.

A: No, there are no plans to install speed speed humps on Upper Kimo Drive. The Department of Water Supply is working on the lower section of Upper Kimo Drive (Haleakala Highway to just below Upu Place); that section of road will be resurfaced after the water project is completed. If you and your neighbors would like to submit an application requesting speed humps in your area, you can access information on the county’s speed hump program at www.mauicounty.gov/engineering. The program is administered by the Department of Public Works’ Engineering Division.

Q: Who is that fool, and why is he allowed to post such obscene things about you in front of the court house, accusing you of such wicked things? I know about First Amendment rights, but this is ridiculous. I almost confronted him the other day but noticed he left.

Courthouse. File photo.

A: I appreciate your concern, but please do not confront this individual. The things he accuses me of are untrue but he has accused the chief of police, prosecutors and others of the same thing and just seems to be venting his frustrations. If you see any laws being broken by this person of course, contact police, but otherwise ignoring him is probably the best policy.

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.