Ask the Mayor: Who is Responsible for Removing Abandoned Vehicles?

Maui Now stock photo.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the questions submitted to his staff.

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa at AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, 270-7855 or mail them to 200 S. High Street, 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793.

Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Dear Mayor,

Q: Who is ultimately responsible for removing abandoned vehicles from the roadside? It seems like Waiko Road (between the two highways) is a favorite dumping grounds for such vehicles, large appliances and other assorted trash.

First, the car is left, then someone comes and takes the tires and then it typically is set on fire. It will then sit there for a couple more weeks. There are two abandoned cars there now that have been there for a couple of weeks.

Just a curious concerned citizen and resident of Waikapū…

A: Removing abandoned vehicles from public roadways is often a joint effort between citizens and the county. The county appreciates the public’s eyes and ears to assist in abandoned vehicle locations and removal.

If you see a car you think is abandoned, please call the Maui Police Department’s non-emergency line at 244-6400 and select “0” to file a report. The police then investigate and mark it as abandoned. If it doesn’t move for 24 hours, the report is then sent to the county Abandoned Vehicles & Metals (AVM) Office. They do their best to complete the tows within 48 hours of receiving a report, but sometimes it does take longer.

If you notice a vehicle that has been tagged for a while but has not been removed, you can call either the MPD non-emergency line or the AVM Office at 270-6102 to follow up.