Maui Election

P. Denise La Costa, a Maui community leader and business owner, announced that she is running for Maui County Mayor.  The news was shared during a press conference Thursday, fronting the County Building in Wailuku.

Bobby Pahia hopes to fill the seat that will be vacated by Yuki Lei Sugimura as she launches a bid for mayor.

Justin Herrmann has announced his intent to run for mayor of Maui County.

Yuki Lei Sugimura, a five-term council member, said her decision was spurred by the recent passage of the bill to phase out thousands of vacation rentals, which she says will negatively impact the local economy.

Kauanoe Batangan began his term on the Maui County Council Monday morning, stepping into the Kahului residency seat held by the late Council Member Tasha Kama, a fulfillment of her final wish for him to succeed her.

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.

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.

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.

The Bissen 2026 campaign expressed gratitude for the endorsement of Mayor Richard T. Bissen Jr. by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142.

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 Sens. Lynn DeCoite, Troy Hashimoto and Angus McKelvey have secured various leadership positions.

The Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association, the state’s largest public-sector union, has endorsed Mayor Richard Bissen in his 2026 re-election bid.

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.

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 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.

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. 

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.

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 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 […]

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.”