#Maui Mayor

“Maui families are under real pressure: rising housing costs, higher bills, struggling small businesses, and residents wondering whether they can afford to stay home,” said LaCosta. “My plan is clear: cut the cost of living, restore Lahaina, fight for a Maui hospital, and bring honesty and accountability back to County government. We will turn renters into owners and lower rents.”

Surrounded by community supporters, labor leaders and his grandsons, Mayor Richard Bissen officially filed nomination papers Monday morning to seek re-election as mayor of Maui County.

Mayor Richard Bissen confirmed the endorsement of Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 in his campaign for re-election.

Maui County Council Vice-Chair and mayoral candidate Yuki Lei Sugimura announced today that her campaign has earned the endorsement of the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, the state’s largest construction union representing more than 6,000 skilled members.

In his address, he highlighted Maui County’s continued progress across housing, recovery, well-being and economic stability, while outlining actions to strengthen communities and build a resilient future.

The Bissen 2026 Campaign announced that the Ironworkers Stabilization Fund and Iron Workers Union Local 625 have formally endorsed the re-election of Mayor Richard Bissen. The Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association, the largest public-sector union in Hawai‘i, also announced its endorsement of Mayor Richard Bissen in his 2026 re-election campaign.

The community is invited to attend the 2026 State of the County Address, which will be presented by Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s Castle Theater. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Yuki Lei Sugimura, Maui County Council Vice-Chair and holder of the Upcountry residency seat, has officially pulled papers to campaign for Mayor of Maui County.

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.

Mayor Richard Bissen will travel out of the state from the late morning of Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, until the evening of Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.

Mayor Bissen will visit New York City from July 15-18 to speak at the UN on sustainability and attend UN Foundation meetings with Hawai‘i Green Growth. From July 20-25, he will travel to Los Angeles to support wildfire recovery efforts with After the Fire USA.

While life has been difficult for Mike Victorino after losing his reelection bid for Maui County mayor in 2022 and taking on new health challenges, he has the love and support of his family and a strong will to see his great grandchildren grow up.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen today announced a partnership to address critical financing gaps for Lahaina homeowners still rebuilding after the 2023 Maui wildfires. The collaborative effort will create a Deferred Payment Loan Program to support middle-income families who may not qualify for federal disaster recovery funds but continue to face significant financial barriers to reconstruction.

In a continued effort to protect the health, safety and well-being of residents and visitors, Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. has officially proclaimed April 2025 as Alcohol Awareness Month in the County of Maui.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen delivered his third State of the County Address at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater on Friday, expressing renewed hope for residents and progress made in the year and half after the 2023 Maui wildfires.

Residents are encouraged to attend a South Maui community meeting being held by Mayor Richard Bissen on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at the Kīhei Community Center, 303 E. Līpoa St.

Leah Laramee, Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Coordinator, will highlight the upcoming “Year of Climate Action” on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, as part of the County of Maui Mayor’s Sustainability Speaker Series.

The 5th annual Maui Men’s March Against Violence is fast approaching and will take place on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kalana O Maui Building located at 200 South High St. in Wailuku.  This free event invites everyone in the community—public and private sectors alike—to unite in a powerful […]

In the 10th month following Maui’s historic wildfires, Mayor Richard Bissen will travel to Washington, D.C., on the evening of Friday, June 14, to Sunday, June 23, 2024, to provide federal partners with updates on recovery and encourage continued support for disaster relief efforts.