The Chamber of Maui Political Action Committee (COMPAC), a non-partisan non-sectarian committee who handles the Maui Chamber’s candidate endorsement process, announced the Chamber’s “business-friendly” endorsements for State and Maui County races this year.

All candidates for State and Maui County races were contacted prior to the Primary Election with incumbents asked to respond if they were interested in participating, as the Maui Chamber is aware of their voting records, and non-incumbents asked to complete a short questionnaire on their background, accomplishments, and experience.

After the Primary, all candidates that responded and moved to the General Election were contacted to schedule a Zoom interview with COMPAC. The committee conducted interviews with questions based on Chamber positions, priorities, values, and current issues. COMPAC did not interview candidates who were running unopposed in the General Election.

COMPAC-endorsed candidates include:

State Representative, District 11; Terez (T.Amato) Amato 

State Representative, District 12; Dan Johnson

State Representative, District 14; Sne Patel

Maui County Mayor; Yuki Lei Sugimura

Maui Council – West Maui; Mark Tillman

Maui Council – Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū; Marvin Moniz

Maui Council – Kahului; Kauanoe Batangan

Maui Council – South Maui; Tom Cook

Maui Councilmember – Makawao-Haʻikū-Pāʻia; Nohelani U’u-Hodgins

The political action committee described its endorsement process as being “inclusive,” reaching out to all candidates at least three times. “While the committee understands that not all candidates will align with the Chamber’s positions, they greatly appreciated those who participated in the process and the opportunity to get to know the candidates, exchange ideas and priorities, and find common ground,” the committee said.