#Maui Election

The Bissen 2026 campaign expressed gratitude for the endorsement of Mayor Richard T. Bissen Jr. by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142.

The Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association, the state’s largest public-sector union, has endorsed Mayor Richard Bissen in his 2026 re-election bid.

Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. announced today, Nov. 8, 2025, that he will seek re-election to continue serving the people of Maui County, emphasizing steadfast leadership, community collaboration, and long-term resilience as the foundation of his 2026 campaign.

Wildfire recovery, the cancellation of the Maui Fair, housing solutions, and election highlights are among the stories that made our list of top features this year. Here’s a recap of some of Maui’s biggest stories in 2024.

The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in favor of incumbent South Maui Council Member Tom Cook and against an election challenge by opponent and former Council Member Kelly King.

The state Office of Elections released the final results of the 2024 elections for Hawaiʻi voters. The final printout was posted by the State Office of Elections at 7:10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 after voters had a chance to cure deficiencies with their ballot envelopes. Results from the 2024 Hawaiʻi General Election are being posed here as they become available, with a focus on races impacting Maui County.

All voters are reminded that voting closes at 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Voters must be in line at a voter service center, or their voted ballots must be received by the deadline, not postmarked, to be counted. A list of voter service centers and ballot drop box locations and hours for Maui can be found here.

At 18 years old, I now have the right and privilege to persuade and influence through the power of my vote.

Ahead of the general election on Nov. 5, hundreds of ʻōpio, kamaʻāina and first-time voters took part this week in “Walk to the Box” events in Wailuku, Honolulu and Hilo, waving signs and walking together to drop off their ballots at voting centers. The events were organized by Our Kaiāulu Votes, a coalition of schools and community organizations striving to inspire voter participation across Hawai‘i. 

The Kula Community Association will host a Candidate Forum at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at the Kula Community Center.  This event will feature candidates running for County Council and state offices. It covers nine races, offering a platform for candidates to present their views, respond to questions and hear directly from the candidates who wish to shape Maui County’s future.

The Kula Community Association (KCA) hosts a Candidate Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kula Community Center. This event will feature candidates running for Senate, House, and Maui County Council offices covering nine races. The event offers a platform for candidates to present their views and respond to questions.

The Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi hosts a Unity Breakfast event from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. today at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi on Beretania St. in Honolulu. The Unity Breakfast is a longstanding tradition where Democratic candidates come together in a show of strength and unity on the morning after the Primary Election.

Today is Primary Election Day across the state of Hawaiʻi. The election runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024.

A coalition of Native Hawaiian-serving organizations, including Kamehameha Schools, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, held “Walk to the Box” events on Friday across the pae ʻāina to rally voter participation ahead of the Hawaiʻi primary election on Saturday. The events are a part of Our Kaiāulu Votes, an initiative to inspire Native Hawaiians to participate in the civic process and make their voices heard. 

Maui County Council Chair Alice L. Lee announced that committee meetings will be held in alternate locations—including the Kalana Pākuʻi Conference Room—over the next several weeks to accommodate the 2024 election schedule.

Older registered voters on Maui overwhelmingly support a tax credit for family caregivers, according to a new AARP Hawaiʻi survey of registered voters 40 and older. That support is widespread and cuts across the political spectrum. Most respondents said the state does not provide enough support to family caregivers, according to the survey results.

President Joe Biden and four other candidates will be on the March 6 Democratic Party presidential primary election ballot, the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi announced.

Kelly Takaya King officially announced her intent to run for her previously held Maui County Council seat for the South Maui District.

Maui voters still have time to vote either by visiting a voter service center by 7 p.m. today (Nov. 8, 2022), or dropping their ballot in a designated drop box. Locations, and dates/hours of operation are posted here.

Voter service centers open today on Maui and Molokaʻi. Centers in Hāna and on Lānaʻi have limited hours. The complete schedule is posted here.