Ask the Mayor: Why Aren’t Homeless Encampments Removed?

Homeless camp by Kahului Harbor. File 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.

Mayor,

Q: I do not understand why the homeless encampments that clearly visible from the highway fronting Kahului Harbor have not been removed.

The number of sites has grown and nothing has been done to clean up the beach and remove the transients from an otherwise nice shoreline.

A: The state is working with the property owner, Alexander & Baldwin, regarding this matter. Efforts are ongoing, although no specific date has been mentioned at this time.