×

Ask The Mayor

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

Q: I would like to know who owns Black Rock beach. Is it owned by the county or by a resort? I visited last week on vacation, and while I love the area I was extremely disturbed by the abuse I witnessed of the turtles. While snorkeling, I saw visitors grab turtles, try to pet them, and one person even tried to grab a turtle by its shell in an attempt to swim with it. I even heard a little girl tell her mother that she should not touch the turtles, and the mother said, “It was only once!” Sad, to say the least. I think if signage was more prominent and included the fines people would pay if caught, it might deter some people from this horrible behavior. Can you help by telling me who owns the property? Thank you so much.

A: The entire Black Rock beach area is owned by Kyo-Ha Hotels & Resorts LP, which shows a mailing address in Waikiki. However, the shoreline up to the high-water mark — where you most likely witnessed the violations — is under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. According to the state Division of Aquatic Resources, any sea turtle disturbance should be reported to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement Hotline (800) 853-1974 and then call DLNR, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement’s statewide hotline: 643-DLNR (3567). More information is available at the DLNR website at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/species/sea-turtles.

Q: I could have sworn that there used to be “Shoreline Access” signs at Olowalu across from the general store (where Olowalu Plantation House is) and at the old Camp Pecusa (now the Camp Olowalu). Now that both areas are private property, I no longer see any signs indicating a public right of way for access to the beaches. Are the signs down and these property owners in violation of the county ordinance to ensure shoreline access, or is there no requirement of shoreline access to the beaches in this stretch?

A: You are correct that shoreline access must be provided in this area. In 2000, the Maui Planning Commission approved a special management area major permit for the proposed Olowalu subdivision that involved several parcels. One of the many conditions on the SMA approval was that lateral pedestrian access along the shoreline shall be provided and that mauka/makai public shoreline access from Honoapiilani Highway and public beach parking shall be provided near the old Olowalu Mill site to Olowalu Landing, as well as access points to the shoreline from both ends of the makai Olowalu lands. There does not appear to be a requirement that shoreline access signs be provided, although this parcel is listed as a beach access site in the Shoreline Access Management Plan. The Planning Department will follow up to make sure that the SMA permit conditions are being fulfilled. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Q: Would it be possible to have those bright plastic traffic dividers installed under Wailuku Bridge where Main Street turns into Kaahumanu Avenue (heading toward Kahului)? Vehicles are constantly driving far onto the shoulder because they are too lazy to follow the newly paved curve in the road. This creates an extremely unsafe situation by driving on the shoulder area allotted for pedestrians and people on bicycles, skateboards and even parents pushing strollers. I’ve seen too many close calls — it’s a fatal accident waiting to happen.

A: One of my staff members called the state Department of Transportation Highways office on Maui about this dangerous situation, which was created when the road was slightly realigned when it was reconstructed. The suggestion to install plastic traffic dividers along the shoulder of the curved portion of this roadway will be passed along to their engineers for consideration.

* 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.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
     
Support Local Journalism on Maui

Only $99/year

Subscribe Today