Ask the Mayor: Faulty Traffic Signals in West Maui

Mayor Michael Victorino answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his office staff.

Q: After a power failure and restoration, the traffic signals in West Maui flash either yellow or red.  They stay in this state until a State Department of Transportation technician drives to each one and resets them. This can take hours. Meanwhile, a number of Maui Police Department officers are tied up at major intersections directing traffic.

Can the traffic signal equipment be upgraded or the MPD officers be trained in doing the reset?

A: I understand your concern because I also see this on our highways periodically throughout the year. I instructed my staff to reach out to the State Department of Transportation about your question and they were told, unfortunately, that the issue is a little more complex.

Traffic signals can go into flash mode for several reasons aside from a power outage. A State DOT technician is required to look at the error code and then make a determination what is needed to have the traffic signal operational again.

I know our state partners have worked very hard to improve and maintain our highways, and we’ll continue to support them in making Maui County a better and safer place to commute.

You can contact the State Highways Division Maui District Office at (808) 873-3538.

Want to Ask the Mayor? Submit your Maui County related questions to Mayor Michael Victorino by emailing askthemayor@mauicounty.gov, by phone at 270-7855, or by mail at 200 S. High St., ninth floor, Wailuku 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column; to request a personal response to a concern, email mayors.office@mauicounty.gov.