The Sierra Club Hawaiʻi Chapter has officially endorsed Green Party candidate Pāʻele Kiakona for Hawaiʻi State House District 14 in his campaign to represent West Maui.

The Sierra Club endorsement follows recent endorsements from leading climate, labor, and healthcare organizations—including 350 Hawaiʻi, Our Revolution Hawaiʻi, Planned Parenthood Hawaiʻi, UNITE HERE Local 5, Hawaiʻi Nurses Association (HNA), the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142, the Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association (HGEA), and the United Public Workers (UPW).

The Sierra Club cited Kiakona’s commitment to protecting the islands’ unique ecosystems and natural heritage and his alignment with their core values of anti-racism, balance, collaboration, justice, and transformation.

As a Lahaina native and lead organizer for Lahaina Strong, Kiakona has been a central figure in West Maui’s recovery following the August 2023 wildfires, according to the announcement. His platform reportedly bridges environmental protection with economic and housing justice, focusing on three core pillars:

• Housing Sovereignty: Phasing out short-term vacation rentals and prioritizing long-term, affordable housing so local families can stay rooted in their communities.
• Environmental Stewardship & Climate Resilience: Safeguarding natural resources, advancing watershed protection, and building infrastructure prepared for climate disruptions.
• Community-Led Recovery: Ensuring that post-disaster recovery and policy decisions are guided by West Maui residents, not outside corporate interests.

“I am deeply honored to be the first Green Party candidate to receive the endorsement of the Sierra Club,” said Pāʻele Kiakona, candidate for House District 14. “Protecting our ʻāina and wai isn’t just an environmental policy to me. I want to preserve our way of life and make sure our local families can afford to stay here for generations to come. The Sierra Club has stood at the forefront of environmental justice in Hawaiʻi for decades, and together, we are showing that community protection and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.”

District 14 includes: Kahakuloa, Waihe‘e, portions of Waiehu and Mā‘alaea, Olowalu, Lahaina, Lahainaluna, Kā‘anapali, Māhinahina Camp, Kahana and Honokahua. Pāʻele Kiakona won an uncontested primary for the Green Party nomination. In the General Election, he faces incumbent Republican Rep. Elle Cochran, who switched parties mid-session, and Democrat Sne Patel who won a battle for the Democrat party nomination.