Ask the Mayor: So Where Exactly Can’t We Smoke Anymore?

The mayor answers questions from the public in this series.

By Mayor Alan Arakawa

Q: Does the new tobacco ban at county parks and beaches mean that people cannot smoke on the Waiehu Golf Course too? What about the beaches in front of the hotels in Wailea and Ka’anapali?

Waiehu Golf Course — can you smoke here following the county tobacco ban? Short answer: no. File photo by Wendy Osher.

A: That is correct, the new law bans smoking and the use of tobacco products in parks and recreational facilities under the jurisdiction of the county, including Waiehu Golf Course. However, the beaches fronting resort areas may or may not be included in the ban, depending on whether the shoreline is part of a county beach park or not. For example, the beach, restroom and parking areas at Wailea Beach Park and Hanakao‘o (Canoe) Beach Park in Ka‘anapali are official county parks that are included in the ban. To determine whether a beach is part of a county park, you can visit www.mauicounty.gov/parks and click on “County Parks Listing” to view parks by geographical district. Details on the new tobacco ban will soon be publicized and made available on the county website. To read the language of the new law, visit www.mauicounty.gov/mayor and click on “Mayor’s Update.”

Q: Observing pedestrian traffic on Waiale Road in Wailuku, especially when school lets out, it’s a disaster waiting to happen that could change lives forever. Are there any plans in the near future for road improvements to ensure the safety of our children?

A: Yes. Plans are currently in design to widen the shoulder on Waiale Road between Kaohu Street and Waiinu Road to create additional room for pedestrians and bicyclists. The project will also involve additional signage and striping improvements. The Department of Public Works plans to post this project for bids by the end of this year.

Q: Is there an online source to search questions that have already been asked and answered in this column?

A: Yes, we have created an “Ask the Mayor” archive on the county website, and have begun adding items that ran since the column first began on February 8, 2013. My staff will continue to upload items so please keep checking back. I appreciate all the concerns we have been able to address in the column, thanks to the questions submitted by the public. To view the Q&A archive, visit www.mauicounty.gov/Mayor and click on “Ask the Mayor Archive” on the left navigation menu.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email: [email protected], phone: 270-7855 or mail: 200 S. High Street, 9th Floor, Wailuku, Hawaii 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the Ask the Mayor column.