Pennington: Maui debris cleanup stalls on Piiholo Road
Three months after Hurricane Lala, residents say crews left large trees blocking key lanes, forcing drivers to back up to pass oncoming traffic.
By James Foster ·
Travis Pennington says the county’s response to storm damage in upcountry Maui has stopped short. Nearly three months after Hurricane Lala struck, he argues that downed trees still block sections of Piiholo and Olinda roads, creating hazards for drivers.
Pennington noted that a crew initially arrived to cut a narrow path through the debris on Olya and Phola Roads. According to him, that work ended there. He stated that large amounts of timber remain in the roadway, creating ongoing dangers that have not been addressed since that initial clearing.
Residents in the area have taken action to clear some of the roadblocks themselves. Pennington explained that while he understands the cleanup process takes time, the delay has stretched over several months. Drivers must now navigate around the timber, and if oncoming traffic appears, there is often no space to yield. Pennington said drivers frequently have to reverse their vehicles to allow others to pass.
The resident is urging the county to remove all the timber to prevent injury. He pointed out that taxpayers fund these services, yet the back and forth between officials leaves the issue unresolved. Pennington described the situation as frustrating because the remaining debris poses a direct danger to motorists.
Pennington also criticized the maintenance of the road surface. He said the top half to three-quarters of a mile of Piiholo Road is in poor condition. Tree roots and rot are high enough that he believes they could rip the oil pan off a car. He observed that the lower sections of the road receive clearing and maintenance, while the upper sections are left neglected.
The Maui county government stated it is working on a response to Pennington’s concerns regarding the debris and road conditions.
