Ask the Mayor: Can Lahaina Train Tracks Be Removed?

Sugar Cane Train, file photo by Wendy Osher.

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.

Aloha Mr. Mayor,

Q: Lahaina no longer has a working railroad but the tracks are still in place.

Turning mauka off the highway at Kapunakea Road (near the Lahaina Cannery Mall and very busy gas station), one crosses over these abandoned railroad tracks. This part of the street is deteriorating very rapidly.

Cars exceeding the speed limit to race through the intersection are projecting asphalt pieces into nearby vehicles.

Which agency can send someone to assess this problem? Perhaps asphalting over the rails could be a temporary fix. Mahalo for all your hard work.

A: My office has received several inquiries about this issue. I was able to connect with the new owners of the Sugar Cane Train and they said they completed a temporary repair at this crossing last week. The new owners are working directly with our County of Maui Department of Public Works to develop a plan for permanent improvements to all of the railroad crossings.