Ask the Mayor: Can Defibrillators Be Installed at Maui Tennis Courts?

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the questions submitted to his staff. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column. Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa at (808) 270-7855,  AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov  or mail them to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793.

Dear Mayor:

Q: Is it possible for Maui County to install defibrillators at the tennis courts around the island? If the county can’t buy them, can private citizens or groups buy them and have them placed at the courts for public use? Anything legal stopping that from happening? I hear there is one at Wells Park, but I also hear it is in the office there so if someone needs it when no one is there with keys, they are out of luck. Mahalo for looking into this.

A: Thank you for asking. If a group or individual wanted to purchase and donate a defibrillator to be placed at a county facility, that could be arranged; however, the county cannot be responsible for ensuring the unit will not be stolen or vandalized.

The county also would not replace units that were stolen or vandalized. While they can be very helpful in saving a life, these defibrillator units cost over a thousand dollars a piece and are often stolen or vandalized—even at facilities that we are able to secure.

Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that the units would last for long in any open park space without growing legs and walking away or getting destroyed.