Ask the Mayor: Who is Responsible for Upkeep of Hāna Highway?

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

Hāna Highway, Route 360. File photo by Wendy Osher.

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.

Aloha Mayor Arakawa,

Q: Mahalo for doing a great job in taking care of our island. Maui nō ka ʻoi!

I was born and raised in Kailua, Maui, went to Huelo Elementary School and graduated from St. Anthony Girls’ School. I now reside in Kaneohe, O‘ahu, with my family.

We are home now for our family ‘ohana reunion and staying at our family estate in Kailua, the home of our youth.

My question to you is: Who is responsible for the roadside cleanup from the airport to Kailua and beyond—the County of Maui or the State of Hawai‘i? It is noted that the grass and other shrubbery is much overgrown that it hinders the view of oncoming traffic, especially at the yielding sites.

I’m just reflecting on the days of my youth when the roadsides were kept very well-manicured. Please advise—is it due to budgetary restraints? Keep Maui and its ‘āina beautiful for us, the keiki o ka ‘āina, and the numerous tourists that travel this route to Hāna daily.

Mahalo and God bless you!

A: Welcome home, if even for a brief while to enjoy gathering together with your ‘ohana.

Hāna Highway is cared for by the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Highways Division, Maui District. I’m not sure about the reason you noticed overgrowth, but it’s possible that the area received extra rainfall in between mowing cycles.

If you have a specific concern, you can find contact information for the Maui DOT Highways office at www.hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/.