Ask the Mayor: Safety Measures in Place for Lahaina Halloween

Halloween. File photo by Vanessa Wolf

The mayor answers questions from the public in this series.

By Mayor Alan Arakawa

Q: With the potential for larger crowds in Lahaina this year due to Halloween happening on a Friday night, I was wondering what kinds of safety measures are in place to keep the event safe and family-friendly?

A: The “Halloween in Lahaina” block party, which is organized by the LahainaTown Action Committee in partnership with my Office of Economic Development, is indeed planned as a safe event that is suitable for the whole family.

In recent years there have been very few incidents considering that approximately 28,000 people attended the event each year.

Underage drinking, consumption of alcohol and public nudity are prohibited at the event. Permits have been obtained to properly close Front Street to provide a pedestrian corridor for showing off all those creative costumes. Portable restrooms, light towers and trash bins will be in place to keep the area clean and well-lit.

Bus transportation is available so folks have the option of catching the “Halloween Express” from Kīhei or Wailuku.

And besides the dedicated staff and volunteers who have been working for many months on preparations for the event, a team of community police officers will be on duty to help keep order if any party-goers step out of bounds.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email: AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, 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.