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Ask The Mayor

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

Q: Why are there so many vehicles on the road with expired registrations and inspections? Safety reasons aside, it is not fair to those who pay to keep their vehicles properly compliant with county and state regulations. Can one expect the new administration to be more vigilant with all vehicles to ensure our safety?

A: Ensuring our roadways are safe and vehicles are properly documented are concerns I take very seriously. Everyone has a personal responsibility to follow the law and I will make sure the fine people at our Maui Police Department enforce it for the benefit of our community.

I instructed my staff to contact police about any issues regarding expired vehicle registrations and safety inspections, and I was told it has been more difficult for officers to spot expired tax decals in recent years due to changes in their color. Previously, decals were more colorful and changed every year. Now, the decals are only black and white.

While the black-and-white decals rotate each year, it is more difficult for police officers to quickly identify expired decals as they drive on the roadway. If an officer is on a traffic stop and finds that either the vehicle registration or safety inspection has expired, the officer will take appropriate action.

The fine for an expired registration or safety inspection is $70.

As a friendly reminder, the Department of Finance Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing recently unveiled its self-service kiosk for vehicle registrations at the Maui Lani Safeway. Residents can skip the line at the Maui County Service Center and easily update their registrations while shopping at the grocery store.

This kiosk literally takes minutes and accepts payments from debit or credit cards, though there is a 2.5 percent credit card fee. A kiosk also has been installed at the Kahului Service Center, which accepts cash payments as well as debit and credit cards.

We hope to add kiosks to Safeway stores at the Lahaina Cannery Mall and the Piilani Village Shopping Center in Kihei by the end of the month. For more information, contact the Division of Motor Vehicles call center at (808) 270-7363.

Q: I was just curious if there were any upcoming lifeguarding jobs in the Kihei area. I am certified and am looking. I wasn’t sure the best place to look or ask so was hoping you could help.

A: Mahalo for your question and I’d be more than happy to assist you. I’m very happy to see you are interested in working as a lifeguard in Maui County, especially for our Kihei visitors and residents.

Maui County Ocean Safety, a division of the Maui Fire Department, hires roughly two lifeguards, or ocean safety officers, each year depending on need. Right now, the division is in the process of filling four positions.

Applicants need to be 17 years of age or older and have a high school diploma or GED. Before selection, applicants will be interviewed and given a civil service written exam. They also will take a physical test composed of swimming, paddling and running.

Training lasts six weeks where recruits will learn lifeguard skills and knowledge. Another two weeks are dedicated to earning an emergency medical responder certification. New lifeguard graduates also earn CPR and ocean lifeguard certifications, as well as other skills and abilities.

While I am excited to see people interested in lifeguarding jobs, I cannot promise that you will be stationed in Kihei.

New hires are assigned to existing vacancies found within the nine beaches the county guards. Typically, the best performing new lifeguard may be offered a preference of assignment.

To apply for ocean safety officer jobs, visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Maui.

In other lifeguard matters, I’m eager to announce that keiki can now send their applications to the Ocean Safety Division for the summer junior lifeguard program. The program is open to ages 12 to 17 and will take place in north, south and west districts.

Registration is open until April 26 and spots will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. New participants need a copy of their birth certificates and must also pass a swim assessment, unless they are part of a swim club or school team.

For more information or to register, visit mauicounty.gov/1565/Junior-Lifeguard-Program or contact Kekai Brown at 757-4318 or kekai.brown@co.maui.hi.us.

Here at the county, we are always looking for dedicated and hardworking lifeguards who are often the unsung heroes of our community. Every Maui County lifeguard is trained above and beyond the United States Lifesaving Association certification — an accomplishment our county takes great pride in.

I hope to see you patrolling our beaches and keeping our county safe for years to come. Mahalo!

* Want to Ask the Mayor? Submit your Maui County related questions to Mayor Michael Victorino 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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