County of Maui to launch Safe Parking Program, begin coordinated Pūlehu Road cleanup Nov. 4-6

The County of Maui is launching its new Safe Parking Program in conjunction with a coordinated cleanup of Pūlehu Road, marking an important step toward addressing longstanding public health, safety and environmental concerns while providing a more stable and supportive environment for individuals living in their vehicles.

Led by the County’s Department of Human Concerns, a multiagency effort from Nov. 4 through 6, 2026, will focus on transitioning individuals from the existing roadside encampment to a designated temporary safe parking site in the Puʻunēnē area, removing accumulated debris and abandoned vehicles, and restoring safe access along Pūlehu Road.

To safely facilitate the removal and relocation of inoperable vehicles and cleanup operations, approximately 0.6 mile of Pūlehu Road, between Hoʻokele Street and Hansen Road, will be closed from 6 a.m. Nov. 4, through 6 p.m. Nov. 6, 2026. Motorists are asked to follow detour signs and anticipate traffic delays in the area.

The new temporary site will include the following:

• Up to 50 vehicles
• 24-hour security
• Access to potable water
• Portable toilets and handwashing stations
• Outreach teams to connect individuals with available social services, housing resources and other assistance
• Basic necessities, including showers, laundry, food and other essential services and resources in coordination with community partners

“This effort is about taking meaningful action to address a situation that has affected both the individuals living along Pūlehu Road and the surrounding community for far too long,” said Mayor Richard Bissen. “We recognize that people need a safe place to go, and that’s why we’ve worked to establish an alternative before moving forward with the cleanup. Our goal is to restore safety and access to this area while treating everyone involved with dignity, compassion and respect.”

The County has conducted extensive outreach in advance of the operation, working directly with individuals living along Pūlehu Road to assess their needs, explain the transition process and connect them with available services.

County crews have also been preparing the temporary site, including paving and other land improvements to accommodate vehicles and provide essential services.

The three-day program launch will be coordinated by the Department of Human Concerns, Office of the Mayor, Maui Police Department, Department of Public Works, Department of Environmental Management and other County departments, along with various community partners.

The program launch will cover:

• Assisting eligible individuals with transitioning to the designated temporary safe parking site.
• Continuing outreach and connections to housing assistance, social services and other resources.
• Removing abandoned vehicles, accumulated trash and other debris from the roadside.
• Addressing public health, environmental and safety hazards.
• Restoring safe roadway access and implementing appropriate follow-up measures.

A central coordination site near Safeway will support communication and logistics among County agencies and community partners. Outreach teams will be stationed along Pūlehu and Hansen roads to assist individuals with transitioning to the new safe parking site, while additional teams will be on-site to welcome arriving residents, help them settle in and connect them with available services and resources.

The program will provide an interim, safe and supportive alternative to roadside living while the County continues working toward a permanent Safe Parking Program site and other long-term housing solutions.

This effort reflects the County’s commitment to caring for our most vulnerable community members with compassion, dignity and respect, while connecting them with essential services and pathways to stable housing. Through continued collaboration with community partners, the County is working to meet the needs of individuals experiencing houselessness while protecting the health, safety and well-being of the broader community.

“Establishing this site is an important first step, but our work does not end with it opening and the area being cleaned up,” Department of Human Services Director Margaret Willis said. “We will continue working with our community partners to connect people with pathways toward stable housing, while expanding access to critical services that meet people where they are at.”

The Safe Parking Program was developed with input from community partners and individuals living along Pūlehu Road. In September, the County surveyed occupants to assess their interest in relocating and identify amenities, services and conditions that would make the new site a viable option. Outreach continued throughout September and October to address concerns, provide information and prepare individuals for the transition.

On Oct. 21, official notices were distributed to individuals living along Pūlehu and Hansen roads advising them of the planned relocation. Originally scheduled for the week of Oct. 26, the transition was postponed due to severe weather and rescheduled for Nov. 4-6. County staff and community partners continued outreach efforts, including two visits Monday, Nov. 2. As of Nov. 2, 23 individuals had expressed interest in relocating to the new safe parking site.

For general information on the County Department of Human Concerns, visit www.mauicounty.gov/humanconcerns.