Ask the Mayor: Can MPD Cars Park on Private Property?

Photo by Wendy Osher.

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

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email at AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, call 270-7855 or send them 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.

Aloha Mayor Arakawa,

Q: Are unmarked MPD cars allowed to park and wait on private property without the owner’s permission?

A: Yes. Maui Police Department marked and unmarked police vehicles, as well as all law enforcement vehicles, are allowed on private property that is open to the public.

Officers can enforce disability parking, electric vehicle-designated parking, reckless driving and driving under the influence offenses on private property that is open to the public without the owner’s knowledge or permission.

Examples of this would be a shopping center or ungated private property.