Maui Election
Jackie Keefe announces run for Hawaiʻi State House, District 14 on Maui
Community advocate Jackie Keefe announced her candidacy for the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives, District 14, which includes Kahakuloa, Waiheʻe, portions of Waiehu and Māʻalaea, Lahaina and Honokahua.
HOKU PAC launches to support māhū and LGBTQIA+ representation in Hawaiʻi politics
A new political action committee aimed at expanding representation and advancing civil rights in Hawaiʻi was formally launched today, coinciding with the third anniversary of the federal Respect for Marriage Act.
Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi selects 3 names to send to the governor for House vacancy
The three names have been selected to be sent to Gov. Josh Green for his consideration to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of former State House District 36 Representative Rachele Lamosao to Senate District 19.
ILWU Local 142 announces endorsement of Richard Bissen for 2026 re-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.
Mayor appoints Batangan to fill Maui Council vacancy for Kahului residency
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announced the appointment of Kauanoe Batangan to fill the Maui County Council Kahului residency seat left vacant by the passing of Council Member Tasha Kama in October. Batangan will officially assume office on Jan. 1, 2026, due to transitional time over the holidays.
Maui senators secure leadership and committee assignments ahead of 33rd Legislature
Maui Sens. Lynn DeCoite, Troy Hashimoto and Angus McKelvey have secured various leadership positions.
HGEA endorses Bissen for 2026 re-election
The Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association, the state’s largest public-sector union, has endorsed Mayor Richard Bissen in his 2026 re-election bid.
Gov. Green appoints Rachele Lamosao to represent Senate District 19
Gov. Josh Green today announced the appointment of Hawai‘i State Rep. Rachele Lamosao to serve as the state Senator for Senate District 19, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Sen. Henry Aquino that took effect Nov. 30.
Kahului Council candidates interviewed; contrasts emerge in policies, philosophy and personalities
Differing personalities, philosophies and policy positions surfaced Thursday afternoon as Maui County Council members interviewed three applicants vying to fill the unexpired term of the late Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama.
Mayor Richard Bissen announces re-election campaign
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.
Carol Lee Kamekona announces 2026 Maui County Council run
Aunty “NTY” Carol Lee Kamekona, a retired 22-year US Navy and Navy Reserve veteran and longtime community organizer, announced Thursday her intent to run for Maui County Council in 2026.
Case announces bid for re-election to Congress
Democratic US Rep. Ed Case announced today his campaign for re-election to Hawaiʻi’s 1st Congressional District, which serves residents of urban Oʻahu. If re-elected in 2026, the next two-year term would be fifth consecutive term since being elected to his current seat in 2018.
Green Party of Hawaiʻi State Convention planned for June 21
The annual Green Party of Hawai’i State Convention will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 1 to 3 p.m. via ZOOM. Opening will be Jim Albertini, from the “Malu ʻĀina, Center for Non-Violent Education & Action” as guest speaker, followed by the election of State party officers, delegates and alternates to the Green Party of the United States National Committee.
West Maui Rep. Cochran absent from 85% of House floor sessions, still collected nearly $23,000 in per diem
West Maui state Rep. Elle Cochran missed 51 of 60 House floor sessions — an 85% absence rate — during the 2025 legislative session while collecting $22,725 in per diem payments intended to cover off-island living expenses, according to House records. Her near-total absence from legislative proceedings in Honolulu, coupled with her acceptance of these taxpayer-funded […]
Rep. Tokuda reintroduces bill to stop ‘redboxing’
US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) reintroduced the Stop Illegal Campaign Coordination Act on Thursday in an effort to “tackle the influence of dark money in federal elections and help restore Americans’ trust in their democracy.”
Chair of Hawai‘i Democratic Party elected to a National Democratic leadership position
The Democratic Party of Hawai‘i congratulated State Party Chair Derek Turbin on his recent election to a national role within the Democratic Party.
Hawaiʻi Constitution amendment proposed as protest of unlimited campaign spending
A proposed Hawaiʻi Constitution amendment that would be at odds with the controversial 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision that took the brakes off campaign spending limits has passed unanimously out of the Hawaiʻi Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
Council’s 5-4 majority-minority split reflects ‘deeply divided electorate’
Just three meetings into the new year, the Maui County Council’s five-member majority has shown its upper hand, with minority members chafing at being on the losing end of 5-4 votes in contested issues on the Council floor.
Maui County Council members take oath of office for 2025-2027 term
Maui County Council members celebrated their inauguration for the 2025-2027 term with Hawaiian oli, singing and hula this morning at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater.
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court finds in favor of Cook in challenge of his election to South Maui Council seat
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.
