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Ask the Mayor

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

Q: I do not understand why the homeless encampments that are clearly visible from the highway fronting Kahului Harbor have not been removed. The number of sites has grown and nothing has been done to clean up the beach and remove the transients from an otherwise nice shoreline.

A: The state is working with the property owner, Alexander & Baldwin, regarding this matter. Efforts are ongoing, although no specific date has been mentioned at this time.

Q: I would say about 90 percent of the time I go to the Upcountry recycling center behind Kalama Intermediate School there’s one or two open containers for cardboard recycling, and they are full. There’s one, two or three empty containers for cardboard recycling that are closed and not usable by the public. What’s the point of leaving empty containers locked and unusable? This is an ongoing problem, and people end up leaving their cardboard next to the containers, probably out of frustration because this program seems to be run so poorly.

A: Our vendor says that if a bin is full they will close and lock it for pickup the next day. When the full bins are picked up, a new, empty bin is left behind to replace it. People can help make sure that the bins are used more efficiently by breaking down all of their cardboard boxes so they are flat when they go into the bin. This enables more cardboard to be stored in the bins and will take longer to fill the container, leaving less cardboard stacked outside the bins, hopefully. The recycling bins are county property as part of the Residential Recycling Program and open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Q: I have a suggestion: Please have an online form on the county website whereby a citizen can provide abandoned vehicle information. In the past, when I have submitted abandoned vehicle info via the nonemergency phone number, it was somewhat cumbersome, not to mention tying up the operator/dispatch person. Thank you for considering this suggestion.

A: Thanks for your suggestion. We think it’s a good idea to call the Maui Police Department nonemergency line at 244-6400 (select 0) to report abandoned vehicles because you are able to interactively provide the best information to them and answer any questions that the dispatcher may have regarding the vehicle or its location. However, if you prefer to do it online, you do have some great options.

Are you aware of the COM Connect – SeeClickFix app? This app provides a central, easy way to report a number of county-related issues. You can also access the app from a computer. Abandoned vehicle reports will go directly to the Maui Police Department for response. If you would like to report an abandoned vehicle through the app, follow these instructions:

• Download the app to your mobile device by searching for “COM Connect.”

• When you open the app, select the “Report” box.

• Answer the questions on the “Description” page and in the “Additional Description” area, type in any additional information about the car that you may have, including license plate number, make, model, color, condition. The more info, the better to help locate and identify the car.

• On the map, select the area that the vehicle is located by typing in the address; the most specific information or address that you can provide, the better.

• Click “Submit” in the top right corner.

To report an abandoned vehicle on a computer, go to this link on your computer and follow the prompts and instructions: www.mauicounty.gov/2024/COM-Connect.

* Want to Ask the Mayor? Submit your Maui County related questions to Mayor Alan Arakawa by email at 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.

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