Ask the Mayor: How Will Tourists Deal With Kahekili Highway Work?

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

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa at AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, 270-7855 or mail them to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793.

Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Kahekili Highway in Kahakuloa. PC: County of Maui.

Dear Mayor Arakawa,

Q: I read that the Kahekili Highway on the Lahaina side of Kahakuloa Village will be undergoing repairs for several months. Isn’t that going to screw traffic up completely on that side? The tourists don’t always get the memo when it comes to local construction projects.

A: Good point but I’m told that besides putting out the media alerts we will also be reaching out directly to the rental car agencies, hotel associations and tour companies to make sure they know that we are going to close that area of Kahekili from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, from July 10 to the end of the year, at least.

That, along with the electronic signs should provide enough notice to keep the bulk of the tourists from heading in that direction.