Maui police suspend placard program after ‘non-essential’ people flood distribution sites
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Just hours after launching it, Maui police have suspended a placard program designed to speed up access into West Maui after distribution areas were flooded with people.
Maui police said they saw “overwhelming demand” from non-essential people and visitors.
Video shot by Hawaii News Now shows hundreds of cars lined up for the distribution areas.
The suspension of the program is in effect “until further notice.”
“We will continue with essential workers and West Maui residents as before,” MPD said.
The placard distributions were taking place at Keopuolani Park and Napili Park.
The Maui Police Department said the placards were designed for efficient traffic management and to prioritize the safety of all road users as recovery efforts continue into another week.
However, officials were specific about who would get a placard.
The placards would be issued to the following:
- West Maui Residents
- West Maui Resort Personnel
- First Responder Personnel
- Medical Personnel
- Utility Personnel
- County of Maui Personnel
- Supply Transport Personnel
- Volunteer Personnel
Maui County is requiring residents to show proof of residency through a driverʻs license or state identification card with a West Maui address. Identification cards without a street address will require an accompanying utility bill as proof of West Maui residency.
All personnel must show proof of employment through a valid company-issued identification card.
Volunteers will be granted 72-hour access passes. At the end of the 72 hours, a new placard will need to be obtained.
Death toll in Lahaina wildfire rises to 96 as recovery operations near one-week mark
Meanwhile, authorities say they arrested a 40-year-old man from Waiehu for trespassing in Lahaina.
Police say “Henore Letourneau” allegedly entered the town at about midnight on Sunday despite the mayor’s emergency proclamation declaring the town off-limits.
He is also accused of gun and drug charges but we’re told he posted bail.
Officials have been strongly urging people to stay out of Lahaina because of safety concerns and out of respect for the dead.
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