Ask the Mayor: When Will Campaign Signs Come Down

Campaign signs in Kahului, 11/24/14. Maui Now photo.

The mayor answers questions from the public in this series.

By Mayor Alan Arakawa

Q: Now that the elections are finally over, I was wondering: How long do candidates have to remove their campaign signs from public view? Additionally, who do I contact if I see campaign signs remaining on display after the deadline to remove them? Thanks.

A: There are no time restrictions on campaign signs, although there used to be.

According to State law, campaign signs are exempt from many of the regulations pertaining to signage, billboards and commercial advertising.

Campaign signs in Kahului, 11/24/14. Maui Now photo.

Maui County Code Section 16.12A.030 limits signs to 18 square feet in display surface; it previously included time restrictions on how long signs could be posted. However, Act 194, signed into law in June 2003, amended HRS Sec. 445-112(11) to remove any durational limits on the posting of political signs; this act superseded the Maui County Code.

While there is currently no law requiring signs to be removed now that the elections are over, hopefully conscientious candidates and their supporters will remove any signs they put up during campaign season.

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.