Ask the Mayor: Why Isn’t the County More Proactive About Providing Services?

Besides the “Request for Services” feature on the county website, the new COMConnect app allows mobile phone users to report community needs with just a few clicks.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his office staff.

Aloha Mayor,

Q: A complaint was made before about an overgrown sidewalk in Wailuku just past the bridge. The place was cleaned up after that, but now it is overgrown again. The County cut down some weeds on the opposite side of this road and I’m sure they could see how overgrown this place is. Why must one complain about a situation before the county will do something about it?

A: That is an excellent question, and the answer is pretty simple. Because our county staff simply cannot be everywhere and see everything that needs to be done, we rely on information from the public to help alert us to problems, just as you have done with your inquiry.

Besides the “Request for Services” feature on the county website, the new COMConnect app allows mobile phone users to report community needs with just a few clicks. Issues that have been frequently reported by Maui residents using the app are potholes, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, animal control, illegal dumping, building code enforcement, street lights, and yes, sidewalks in need of maintenance.

Just download the COMConnect app from the app store on your smart phone and either sign up for sign up for an account or report an issue as an unregistered user.

In the case of the overgrown Wailuku sidewalk, that stretch of sidewalk runs through private property so according to Maui County Code it is the responsibility of the land owner to maintain the sidewalk.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email at AsktheMayor@mauicounty.gov, by phone at 270-7855 or by mail to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the Ask the Mayor column.