Ask the Mayor: Kilohana Graffiti, Proper Disposal of Animal Feces

Trash pile, file photo by Wendy Osher.

The mayor answers questions from the public in this series.

By Mayor Alan Arakawa

Q: I was recently mailed a copy of the Maui County Refuse Collection Holiday Schedule. My question pertains to certain items listed in the mailing as banned from refuse collection, namely dead animals and animal feces. If they are banned, what are we to do with them? I just reviewed the summer edition of Talking Trash and found alternatives for most of the banned items listed, but no mention of dead animals or animal feces. Just two weeks ago I found a dead rat in my driveway. If not trash, what was I supposed to do with it? Spoiled food including meat is not banned, so what is different about a bird, mouse or rat carcass? Just today I found a large deposit of animal feces next to my mail box. What should I do about that? Thank you for your answers and please also consider publishing the information in “Talking Trash” so everyone knows.

A: Thank you for asking. Yes, our Solid Waste Division staff will add some clarification to the next edition of “Talking Trash.” In general, small animal feces and waste (including dog, cat, small indoor pets, dead rats, kitty litter, dog poop, small caged pet litter, etc.) is fine to throw in the trash. You should seal the refuse in a bag to avoid odors and pests such as flies.

Larger animals over 25 pounds (i.e. larger dogs, goats, pigs, deer, carcasses, animal remains, etc.) should not be thrown in a residential trash can, but rather taken to the Maui Humane Society (per their requirements and fees for private cremation) or to the landfill.

For landfill disposal, residents must call ahead to make arrangements so that staff will be prepared for immediate disposal and covering to avoid health and safety concerns. To view the Maui Humane Society requirements, visit www.mauihumanesociety.org

Q: There is a large amount of graffiti that needs to be covered up just north of Kilohana Drive at Pi‘ilani Highway on the mauka side of the highway. There are large concrete blocks that cascade up the gulch—these are covered with graffiti. Does the County take care of covering this up? Or could a citizen do it with the approved paint color? I don’t like keiki having to see graffiti. It teaches them to accept mediocrity. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

A: I asked our Public Works department to identify the specific area you described, and it appears to be the concrete drainage channel that goes under Pi‘ilani Highway just north of the Kilohana intersection. Because Pi‘ilani Highway is a State roadway, the graffiti removal would also be taken care of by State highways crews, so I have forwarded the information to the Maui office of the State Department of Transportation, Highways Division, for handling.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email: AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, 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.