Ask the Mayor: When Will Makawao’s Students Get Some Sidewalks?

Makawao Avenue’s intermittent sidewalks in the vicinity of Kalama Intermediate School on Makani Road. Debra Lordan photo.

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

Aloha Mayor,

Q: As resident of Makawao, I have noticed the recent improvements to create a sidewalk in Pukalani along the old Haleakalā Highway. I have also noticed there are no linking sidewalks to Pukalani from Makawao via Makani and Makawao avenues. Will we see any improvements to the safety of pedestrians attempting to walk along these roadways?

I see people daily having to walk on the edges of the roads, dangerously close to cars. Sidewalks seem a real necessity for the safety of children walking to Kalama Intermediate School, especially. Thanks.

A: This is certainly a reasonable request which will come together over time as funding permits. In fact, we currently have a Public Works project to link the sidewalk that terminates at Eddie Tam Gymnasium to continue on to Kalama Intermediate School, where we have the most pedestrian activity.

Makawao Avenue itself is more of a challenge, given its limited right of way, drainage and utility poles that would make building a sidewalk more complicated. Basically it was once a rural road that has since become the main route of transit through a more urban environment and it will take plenty of funding to update it.

What will help move those improvements along will be continued lobbying for the funding at our Mayor’s Office budget hearings and the County Council Budget and Finance Committee meetings, as well working with the Makawao and Pukalani Community Associations.

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.