Most-Ignored Rules on Maui? They’re Related to Traffic, Locals Say

Traffic-related troubles, notably drunk driving and speeding, top the list of the most-broken rules on Maui, according to an unscientific survey of locals by Maui Insight.

For the 15-day survey, locals were asked, “What are the most broken rules on Maui?” Further, it clarified, “What are rules or even laws that people seem to break most on island?” The questions were posed to a broad group of Maui residents randomly.

Drinking and driving topped the list with 29 votes. Speeding, including “driving over the speed limit,” placed second with 28 votes.

“After that the number of votes fell considerably; the next-highest was just 15 votes,” said Keith Jajko, editor and publisher of Maui Insight. “Which indicates just how important traffic and congestion are as issues for the people who live here.

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"The message here? Follow the rules of the road, and most certainly, don't drink and drive on island.”

Placing third in the minds of Maui locals as a rule, written or unwritten, that is ignored the most is not using crosswalks in Paia town.

Others receiving votes:

• Beach etiquette, e.g. “setting up 2 feet away when the entire beach is open”
• Left lane is for passing
• Don’t steal cars
• Don’t dump/burn cars
• Don’t touch the honu
• Tossing cigarette butts onto the ground
• Don’t feed feral cats
• Schmoking da pakalolo
• Fireworks on New Year’s Eve
• Drinking on the dance floor
• Taking sand or rocks from Black Sand Beach
• Going off the trail at Haleakala
• No nudity at Little Beach
• Gambling
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Attempting to change Maui (instead, “Let Maui change you”)
• Moving to Hawaii and claiming to be from Hawaii
• Assuming every haole is not from Hawaii
• Not cleaning up after your dog

“Some are clearly laws that most everyone is aware of, like the weird no drinking on the dance floor regulation,” Jajko said. “Others were more like spoken-word rules, unwritten law, or assumed ways things should be done.

“There was quite the debate about whether or not it's law to stay a certain amount of feet away from green sea turtles. Someone argued with oomph that there is no such law. Locals responded fairly firmly, stating people should stay 10 feet away from honu, regardless of what the law says.”

Finally, Jajko said, there was a jab at Maui Insight, something about writing fake articles about the community. To see the survey and respondent comments, click here.