Q: I just completed my new home. While installing a fence, our auger hit the electrical wire, which pulled from the circuit breaker box. Should the ground have been marked in any way?

A: Our friends at the various utility companies remind us that customers need to call 811 a few days before performing any work that involves digging. 811 is a national number that will connect callers to the Hawaii One Call Center (866) 423-7287. This is a free service that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will contact all local utilities to tone, mark or identify the location of underground lines, which include electric, gas, telecommunication, cable, water and sewer.

It is always a good practice to call 811 for any project that involves digging, including small backyard projects like planting a tree or a garden.

Q: Can the bus service be extended in Waihee to service the elderly and our youths beyond Waihee Elementary School?

A:Our Department of Transportation has retained the services of the consulting firm Dantec Associates to survey the community to determine its transportation needs. Gary Omori with Dantec has been working with community leaders in Waihee and Waiehu Kou and the homestead district manager with Hawaiian Home Lands to distribute surveys and to encourage residents to complete a survey.

Q: Can you set up undercover stings for all the vehicles break-ins, thefts and burglaries? According to the statistics I’ve been reading, there have been over 50 per week. Seems easy to set up stings by police and by using parking lot video cameras. At least get more surveillance at the most common areas that seem to happen every week. They must be selling these stolen items somewhere that also needs to be investigated.

A: I asked the Police Department about this, and here is its official response: “The Maui Police Department is a proactive department against crime. We do conduct undercover operations and target specific areas based on data analysis. We have had successful operations resulting in arrests regarding thefts. We encourage the public to remove valuables and secure their vehicles. Make sure to lock all doors and windows of their residence. We have crime prevention programs to assist the public in safeguarding their property and increasing awareness of their surroundings. The public can call Community Relations at 244-6380 or email crsmail@mpd.net for more information.”

* 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.