Ask The Mayor: Beach Access Blocked by Homeowners?

Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his staff.

Q: When driving to the beach, where do I legally park if there’s no designated beach parking or street parking in the area? Halama Street and Makena Road in South Maui don’t have any public beach parking and the issue is compounded by homeowners blocking the front of their homes with boulders and cones. Your help with this is much appreciated.

A:  Mahalo for your question and I hear your frustrations.

Since there are no designated beach parking spots along Halama Street and Makena Road, you may legally park in the County Right of Way in front of homes in order to visit the beach. This is not an ideal situation, but parking was never created for those areas before homes were built decades ago.

While the County mandates that these right of ways remain clear, the property owners are responsible for upkeep and maintenance. Obstructions such as rocks, large plants and barricades are not allowed in the right of way and the Department of Public Works Highways Division staff recently went out to Palauea Beach in Makena and to Halama Street in Kīhei to conduct checks on reported obstructions. I understand from staff that they did notify property owners, and requested that they remove the obstructions. After providing property owners with information from the county code, we generally get compliance from them. I do want to clarify, however, that beachgoers parking on these properties should be mindful of their cars and not block the travelway or the driveways to residences.

To report a complaint regarding right of way obstructions, visit https://www.mauicounty.gov/1776/Request-for-Service or call the Department of Public Works Highways Division Administration Office at 270-7869 or the appropriate district office.

Want to Ask The Mayor?

Submit your Maui County related questions to Mayor Michael Victorino by email at [email protected], by phone at 270-7855 or by mail at 200 S. High St., ninth floor, Wailuku 96793.

Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column; to request a personal response to a concern, email [email protected].