Ask the Mayor: Why is Ka‘ahumanu Being Repaved?

Department of Public Works. Maui Now photo.

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

Aloha Mayor,

Q: Why are you paving Ka‘ahumanu Avenue and demoing sidewalks at Maui Medical Group? It’s a waste of funding—the road is perfect and the sidewalk had nothing wrong with it, even after building it again. The walk signals on Kanaloa Avenue are five feet away from the cross walks.

A: All of the projects you are referring to are state projects. As a rule of thumb, major roads between cities are state highways, and roads servicing transportation centers (i.e. airports, harbors) are state roads. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands roads are owned by DHHL, but by state law, are maintained by the county. Roads within Haleakalā National Park are federal park roads. Most other roads are county; however, there are many exceptions to this.

For assistance in identifying the road ownership of a particular road, you can contact the Public Works Engineering Division online.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

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