Ask the Mayor: Why are There No Flags Outside County Buildings?

American and Hawaiian flags. Photo credit: Wabisabi Maui.

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.

Dear Mayor:

Q: I went to do my early voting yesterday and I stopped in my tracks when I realized that there was not a flag to be seen in front of the courthouse or county buildings. I want to know why. I have written to government officials and contacted media and individual journalists. Can anyone out there answer me?

A: Judging by the date of your email, you were probably voting on a Saturday. If you stop by the County Building on any non-holiday weekday, you will see the American flag, the Hawai‘i State flag and currently, the POW-MIA flag. On Monday through Friday, flags are put up and brought down daily by Public Works staff in accordance with proper flag protocol. Flags are not flown on the weekends.

Monday through Friday, flags are raised and brought down daily by Maui County Public Works staff in accordance with proper flag protocol.

Flags are not flown on the weekends.