Maui Residents Creating Own Road Signs to be More Realistic

Residents around Maui have decided to take matters into their own hands with more realistic road signs for motorists.

While the County of Maui dithers with a study on potential new more realistic road warning signs, some locals just made their own.

“We just figured if they knew the truth maybe they’d turn around,” said Justine Wallace, who lives in east Kula in what is the last signs of civilization before the back road to Hana begins.

“So we created a sign that tells the truth, about the road sucking for a long time,” she said.

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The sign she and her neighbors created and installed? It says “ROUGH ROAD FOR EVER.”

It looks like a modified version of signs that provide a specific number of miles at the bottom where the road challenges exist.

Earlier this year, County planners began researching a variety of potential new road signs, in an effort to better inform motorists of what really lies ahead.

The effort is part of a semi-annual review of road signs on the Valley Isle which includes studies of current signs and how they perform.

The study is expected to last through the summer, with hopes of introducing new signs next year, said Larry Hoailona, traffic engineer for the county.

“We know that on Maui, there can be unique circumstances that aren’t typical,” he said. “Certainly not things seen on mainland.”

New signs being considered:

~ Signs to explain more accurately when road construction might start and finish.

~ Signs to let motorists know where they might see whales off-shore (with hopes that they will still keep their eyes on the road)

~ Some kind of sign explaining how visiting drivers can exit roundabouts on Maui

~ Signs to warn about hazards to automobiles by driving over the speed bumps at Kahului Airport

~ Maui chicken crossings

~ Signs indicating where on the "Mario Kart: Road to Hana" video game to shoot your turtle shells at other racers

"We aim for safer and more enjoyable rides,” Hoailona said.

But not all Maui residents are waiting. Over north of Paia, locals are tired of being asked where the big-wave spot Jaws is located.

“We’re designing some cool signs,” said Jonas “Skipper” Booth of rural Paia. “Our fave so far says, WARNING: MOTHER-IN-LAW CONVENTION AHEAD.”