Ask the Mayor: What Can Be Done About Illegal Dumping at McGregor Point?

McGregor Point. File photo by Wendy Osher.

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

Aloha Mr. Mayor,

Q: Last night we went to McGregor Point (lighthouse area) and observed a new development—the creation of a fairly large illegal dump at the end of the road/turnaround.

The main pile contained lots of burned items, old furniture, etc., and probably would fill four or five pickups. It appears someone may have been dumping next to that pile and plowed it over with dirt cover. There was lots of large debris blowing along the road and down the slope. If not stopped, it can be expected to grow substantially as an illegal dump. Do you have information as to the right department to deal with this—one that has resources to respond? Mahalo.

A: Thank you for your email. Our Department of Environmental Management checked into this and determined that the area near the lighthouse is under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard, while the immediate surrounding area is under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Depending where exactly the dumping is occurring, it could be either of those two agencies. We have contacted DLNR to notify them about the dumping, and will check on the area to see if progress is being made.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

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