ASK THE MAYOR
Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the mostasked questions submitted to his office staff.
Q: Does Maui have a sobering center or a place to treat people with a problem before they have to go to jail. When I say jail, I mean a place for people who can’t be rehabilitated and have to be taken away from the rest of us. I truly believe most people don’t need jail but rehabilitation. I also don’t believe the way we determine that is OK. Most people can learn to do it differently if we teach them instead of sending them to jail. Violent crimes need jail. Please help. Jail is not the answer. Let’s fix these people.
A: To answer your question, we asked for some help from our friends at Aloha House. They indicated that those looking for help with drug and alcohol addiction have access to several programs on Maui that offer different treatment modalities. Intensive outpatient programs offer individuals an opportunity to get clean and sober in a structured environment, retain employment and remain in their homes with their families. This is considered a “step below” from a residential treatment setting, which requires individuals to be removed entirely from their families, employment and their support system. However, in a residential setting, individuals are afforded an opportunity to focus entirely on themselves without the outside influences that may make getting clean and sober on their own difficult. Besides Aloha House, there are also Care HI and Behavioral Health Hawaii. Another option would be meeting with a therapist. Individuals can call their health care provider and inquire about their behavioral health options, as well as having an assessment done to see what level of treatment would be the best fit. Finally, if there is an emergency, take the individual in question to Maui Memorial Medical Center for immediate assistance.
Q: I have a family member who is suffering from mental health issues and may or may not be suicidal. Are there any resources out there for this person? Please let me know, thank you.
A: Here are some resources listed by the state Department of Health Adult Mental Health Division. If this is a crisis situation, call the Crisis Line of Hawaii toll-free at (800) 753-6879, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for assistance. If necessary, a Crisis Mobile Outreach worker can be dispatched to where the individual in need is located. Crisis Line staff may also place the individual in a Licensed Crisis Residential Service (Aloha House) where this person may temporarily reside while being treated. If the person in question is uninsured and wants to see if they are eligible for Adult Mental Health Division services, they can call (808) 643-2643. If they are insured, then follow up with their health care provider to find out what their options are. I hope this helps.
Q:Can you please give me the phone number or address for the cemetery coordinator at the location where Charles Lindbergh is buried?
A: The caretaker for Charles Lindbergh’s grave in Kipahulu is contracted by the Palapala Hoomau Preservation Society. You can contact them for more information.
■ Want to Ask the Mayor? Submit your Maui County related questions to Mayor Alan Arakawa by email at askthemayor@mauicounty.gov, by phone at 270-7855 or by mail at 200 S. High St., ninth floor, Wailuku 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column; to request a personal response to a concern, email mayors.office@mauicounty.gov.