Ask the Mayor: Can Maha-Ukiu Storm Drain Be Made Level With Road?

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.

Hi Mayor,

Q: I would like to thank you and the Public Works Highways Division for paving Maha Road in Makawao. It has made a tremendous improvement by eliminating all of the pothole patches. However, there is one thing that I would like to see to complete the road.

There is a storm drainage grate that is located at the intersection of Maha Road and Ukiu Road that is very low compared to the surface of the road. I wonder if this drainage grate can be made even with the surface of the road? That would make it much easier to negotiate the turn at this intersection.

It would be much appreciated by all who use this part of Maha Road and Ukiu Road to have this done. Mahalo for looking into this for a possible solution.

A: I checked with Public Works, and was told that plans are already underway to widen the collection apron of the storm drain there, to decrease the slope angle for a smoother transition without raising the grating level. The existing storm drain was not altered during the paving process and needs to remain at its current level to properly direct storm water into the catch basin.