Maui County mayoral candidate Yuki Lei Sugimura has earned the endorsement of the Chamber of Maui Political Action Committee (COMPAC), the non-partisan, non-sectarian committee that handles the candidate endorsement process for the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

The endorsement comes as Maui County’s business community continues to face challenging economic conditions. The cost of living in Maui Nui remains among the highest in the nation, and recent data shows that 53 percent of Maui County households cannot afford basic necessities such as housing, food, childcare, health care, and transportation. More than three years after the Lahaina wildfires, not a single business has been rebuilt in the Lahaina Historic District.

“The COMPAC process identifies business-friendly candidates whose plans and experience align with our members’ priorities and our community’s needs,” said Pamela Tumpap, President of the Maui Chamber of Commerce. “In a challenging time for Maui County, Yuki Lei Sugimura stood out for her focus on issues that matter most to our business community: economic recovery, attainable housing, small business support, and more efficient government. We need a leader who can bring government, business, and community together, and Yuki Lei has shown she can do that with urgency, accountability, and aloha.”

During the endorsement process, Sugimura outlined three pillars of her platform:

1. Tackling the cost of living by focusing on core County services and eliminating wasteful spending.
2. Growing the economy by rebuilding Lahaina’s businesses, restoring lost jobs, and cutting redundant government regulations.
3. Building workforce housing through County partnerships with the private sector, as well as State and Federal agencies.

Sugimura, a former small business owner and current Vice-Chair of the Maui County Council, said the endorsement reflects her commitment to rebuilding Maui County’s economy from the ground up.

“Government needs to be a partner, not an obstacle, for the people and businesses of Maui County,” said Sugimura. “We can do better, and as Mayor, I will bring greater urgency, accountability, and focus to addressing our rising cost of living, expanding our economy, and generating more housing for working families.”

The COMPAC endorsement reflects broad support for Sugimura’s campaign across Maui Nui, with momentum building behind her vision for a more affordable, practical, and business-friendly Maui County.

Sugimura is running for Mayor of Maui County. A lifelong Maui resident and Vice-Chair of the Maui County Council, Sugimura is focused on creating real housing opportunities for residents, easing the economic burden on local families, and fostering a business environment that allows children to build careers at home. Her goal is to refocus Maui County government on these priorities – and to lead with an approach that unites our communities around shared values.

For more information, please visit www.yukileiformayor.com.

The General Election ballot will feature incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen and Council Vice-Chair Yuki-Lei Sugimura, vying for the Countyʻs top spot. Both edged out eight other competitors in the crowded Primary Election in August.