Ask the Mayor: Should the ‘Welcome to Pāʻia’ Sign Be Replaced?

Welcome sign to Pāʻia. File photo by Wendy Osher.

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

Aloha Mayor:

Q: I’m a lifelong Pāʻia resident and once upon a time there was a sign that said “Welcome to Pāʻia” at the entrance of our town. Now the sign has been covered up with stickers and graffiti and it’s a mess. I’m not sure who owns the sign–if it’s the Pāʻia Merchant’s Association or HC&S–but it should be replaced.

I recall a local boy planting hibiscus around the sign when it first went up as part of his Eagle Scout project. Maybe another Boy Scout can do some sort of sign beautification project again. Whatever the case, something should be done. Mahalo.

A: Actually that “Welcome to Pāʻia” sign was purchased by the Pāʻia Main Street Association, which has now evolved into the Pāʻia Town Association. I’ve since spoken to association officials and they said they have considered replacing the sign, but have mixed feelings about it.

Although some residents such as yourself feel the sign has been defaced, others look at it and see that it reflects the unique nature of Pāʻia Town. I’ve been told that visitors stop to take pictures and there are even T-shirts and cards featuring the image of the sign.

A compromise may be to replace it with a new sign but keep the old sign as a piece of history somewhere and have it on display. Whatever the case, if Pāʻia residents feel strongly about the issue one way or the other, they should relay their opinions via email to the Pāʻia Town Association.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email at AsktheMayor@mauicounty.gov, by phone at 270-7855 or by mail to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the Ask the Mayor column.