Ask the Mayor: Maui’s Mosquito Problem in Kahului

Mosquito. Maui Now courtesy photo.

The mayor answers questions from the public in this series.

By Mayor Alan Arakawa

Q: Kahului, Maui has a serious mosquito problem. Almost every establishment you enter, you find yourself swatting and fighting mosquitoes.

Where is Maui’s mosquito abatement plan?

Kahului Airport is an open air terminal and the mosquitoes are everywhere.

What’s your plan to save us?

A: Yes, I personally witnessed the increase in mosquitos throughout town and up into Wailuku but am happy to report that thanks to measures taken by various community partners, this issue may already have been resolved.

The state Department of Transportation, Maui Airports Division reports that it worked with HC&S to take additional measures to control mosquito larvae at one particular sugar cane “wash” pond located closer to the Dairy Road area of Kahului.

The Department of Health, Vector Control, also conducted testing for larvae in other areas to determine where control was most needed.

All in all, reports are that the mosquito population in Kahului is back under control.

After Tropical Cyclone Ana passes through, we will need to remain watchful to make sure an overgrowth of the pesky biters does not occur again.

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.