Ask the Mayor: Why Doesn’t Maui Have Strip Clubs?

The mayor answers questions from the public in this series.

By Mayor Alan Arakawa

A hostess bar on Maui. Photo by Ben Jammin.

Q: I drove through the intersection in Kahului with the new flashing yellow arrow, and it was easy to navigate. Does the flashing yellow arrow light cost more than regular traffic signals, and will there be more installed in the future?

A: The flashing yellow arrow traffic signals do not cost more than standard signals. Yes, we will retrofit the signals as funding is available. It’s been helpful to receive feedback from drivers like yourself who feel the signals are efficient and easy to understand.

Q: Now that the sidewalk from King Kekaulike High School to the Makawao Avenue intersection in Pukalani is out to bid, what is the status of the section from there to Pukalani Street? Also, are there any plans for Loha Street from the Makawao Avenue intersection to Iolani Street in Pukalani Terrace subdivision? That area has a lot of student and pedestrian traffic and the shoulders are very narrow.

A: For the sidewalk section from Makawao Avenue down to Pukalani Street, preliminary layouts have been completed; however, due to the anticipated costs to build this section, further progress has been placed on hold. Initial figures point to costs over $2 million due to the electrical utilities, limited Right-of-Way, and unfavorable shoulder grades. For Loha Street, we currently have no plans for a sidewalk, but that is a logical next step given that we did install sidewalks on Iolani Street a few years back. I would encourage you to make this suggestion at the Community Budget Meetings my office will be holding this Fall so that funds can be appropriated next fiscal year to initiate design work.

Q: What is preventing Maui from having any strip clubs? Someone told me that the Liquor Department won’t allow it.

A: Maui County Code Chapter 19.85, which sets the parameters for “Adult Entertainment Activity,” states that liquor shall not be sold, served or consumed in the premises where live adult entertainment activity occurs. The ordinance requires a conditional permit from the Maui County Council for this type of business. Based on public testimony received through public hearings conducted by Maui County’s three planning commissions and by testimony received by the Maui County Council, the Council states it finds that the county of Maui has “high community standards regarding adult entertainment activity, particularly when nudity occurs as a form of adult entertainment.” The code was written with the intention of regulating adult entertainment activity to promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the citizens of Maui County, and to establish reasonable and uniform regulations to prevent “adverse secondary effects that the location and concentration of adult entertainment activities will have within the county.” To read the code online, visit www.mauicounty.gov/laws and click on “Maui County Code.”

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.