A heated dispute between East Maui residents and the state Department of Transportation has flared over what locals say is widespread visitor misbehavior along the Road to Hāna — from cars stopping in travel lanes for photos to people parking at pullouts that block emergency access. Hāna Highway Regulation, the community initiative that monitors the corridor, says its summer impact report shows problems that straightforward fixes could mitigate.
The group — an initiative of nonprofit East Maui Land Restoration — released a "2025 Summer Impact Report" on Oct. 9 that documents a surge in unpermitted tour operations, claims that some licensed operators remove vehicle ID labels to hide commercial activity, and details land‑management failures that have led to emergency rescues and fatalities. Administrator Nāpua Hu‘eu is quoted saying, "Three years later, no communication or engagement has been initiated by the Department of Transportation." The report also cites Maui Police data showing 109 parking citations at eight popular sightseeing spots between Jan. 1, 2021 and Oct. 2, 2025, with Waikamoi Stream Bridge responsible for 69 of those tickets, as reported by Maui Now.
State highway officials say they've taken several steps to reduce hazards, pointing to installation of "No Parking" signs at pullouts and "Slower Traffic Pullover" signage between mileposts as well as maintenance and mitigation work along Route 360. Hawaiʻi DOT's notices describe the no‑parking warnings that carry a surcharge for violations and list locations where signs were posted. A department official told Maui Now the agency is "always open to meeting with community members and stakeholders about concerns relating to the safety, maintenance and efficiency of our highways."
Legal and enforcement changes
In 2024 the Legislature enacted Act 117, which transferred enforcement of the motor‑carrier law from the Public Utilities Commission to HDOT, a move that gives the department statutory authority to pursue unlicensed commercial operators on the Road to Hāna. The bill text and legislative documents outline the transfer of enforcement responsibilities and the agency roles created by the law; see the bill text at data.capitol.hawaii.gov. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority also awarded East Maui Land Restoration a community‑stewardship grant in 2024, and some lawmakers have discussed tools such as tolls or reservation requirements to limit visitor volume on sensitive stretches of the route, as previously reported by SFGATE and detailed by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.
What's next
Local leaders say signage and spot repairs are useful but insufficient, and that a formal, community‑informed management plan is needed to pair consistent enforcement with basic infrastructure such as upgraded restrooms and clearly defined pullouts. Hawaiʻi DOT's notices and recent maintenance work show incremental progress, but residents and stewardship groups argue that funding, clear enforcement authority and a coordinated plan are required to curb repeat dangerous behavior and protect East Maui's fragile streams and trails.
