Ask the Mayor: Who’s Responsible for Clearing Vegetation?

Ask the Mayor

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

Mr. Mayor,

Q: Who’s responsible for clearing vegetation on easement when it affects line of sight for drivers of vehicles?

Here are two examples:

1) the west, down hill, corner of Makani Road and Old Haleakalā Highway has a hedge that is growing onto Makani Road and is also blocking the line of sight for anyone trying to turn left onto Old Haleakalā Highway.

2) at the northeast corner of Aliʻiolani Street and Honokolani Street is another hedge that is growing into easement block view for anyone trying to cross intersection.

Please do not tell me to call an appropriate state or county department because nothing gets done. More than six months ago I filed a complaint about a pine tree hedge on Ehilani Street that has been encroaching into the easement to the point that someone walking past the residence has to walk on the road.  Nothing has been done.

A: I’ve forwarded this to the Department of Public Works, Highways Division, to look at these areas you’re concerned about. Line of sight for drivers is a public safety issue and the county takes it very seriously, however we get a number of calls about this and from what I understand the division responds to them as quickly as they can. As for getting no response to some of your concerns, please try filing an online “Request for Service” form, it’s the best way to report a county related issue: https://www.mauicounty.gov/1776/Request-for-Service

Want to ask the Mayor? Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa at [email protected], (808) 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.