Maui Election

The 54th Kupuna Aloha Luncheon is set for Saturday, July 25, at the Grand Wailea.  A total of 40 tables are available — on a first-come, first-served basis — and priority will be given to candidates with MEO accommodating annual supporters.

Community organizer and Green Party candidate Pāʻele Kiakona officially filed his nomination papers for the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives District 14 seat on Thursday morning. His campaign priorities focus on housing sovereignty, living wages, environmental stewardship, and genuine, community-led disaster recovery.

Surrounded by supporters on May 18, 2026, Keoni Kuoha formally announced his candidacy for the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives, District 12, representing the Maui communities of Makawao, Hāliʻimaile, Pukalani, Kula, Pūlehu, ʻUlupalakua, Kanaio and Kahikinui.

Tom Cook officially filed his nomination papers Tuesday to seek re-election to the South Maui residency seat on the Maui County Council, launching a campaign focused on housing solutions, infrastructure improvements, and building a stronger future for Maui County.

The deadline to file as a candidate for the 2026 Elections is Tuesday, June 2, by 4:30 p.m., leaving potential candidates just 5 business days to complete the process. The Maui County Office of the County Clerk, Elections Division, strongly encourages candidates to book a filing appointment by calling 808-270-7749. Timeslots are filling quickly.

Maui voters will soon be receiving their yellow voter signature cards in the mail. This voter card does two important things: 1) confirms voters are properly registered to vote in the Primary Election (in August) and the General Election (in November), and 2) gives voters the opportunity to update their signatures in their voter record.

Surrounded by his family and the family of the late Council Member Tasha Kama, fourth generation Kahului resident and current Council Member Kauanoe Batangan officially filed nomination papers Friday to run for the Maui County Council. Batangan shared the moment with his young family, parents, and family-members of his predecessor. 

Longtime LahainaTown Action Committee (LAC) President Sne Patel announced his candidacy for State House of Representatives District 14 seat, West Maui, citing an urgency to invest in the recovery and long-term planning needs for West Maui.

The Maui County Office of the County Clerk is reminding candidates who want to appear on this year’s ballot for public office that the filing deadline for nomination papers is 4:30 p.m. June 2. Prospective candidates are encouraged to review the 2026 Hawaiʻi Candidate’s Manual, available at https://elections.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026- Candidates-Manual.pdf. The candidate report, which is updated daily with […]

Potential candidates interested in appearing on this year’s ballot have until 4:30 p.m. on June 2, 2026, to file nomination papers.

Sharing this moment with his wife, daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, Pahia emphasized the importance of ‘ohana, community, and kuleana in his decision to run for office. The presence of four generations underscored his commitment to ensuring the county remains a place where local families can raise their keiki, run a family business, and build a future.

Surrounded by supporters, friends, family, and community members, Yuki Lei Sugimura officially filed her nomination papers Tuesday to run for Mayor of Maui County, taking an important step in a campaign centered on “honesty, accountability, and leadership that prioritizes unity over division.”

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 has endorsed Green Party candidate Pāʻele Kiakona for Hawaiʻi State House District 14, marking a notable departure from the union’s typical political endorsements. The move reflects a rare crossover between organized labor and the grassroots movement that emerged after the Lahaina fires.

With three weeks left before the June 2 candidate filing deadline, the Maui County candidate line-ups are taking shape. Two incumbents — West Maui Council Member Tamara Paltin and East Maui Council Member Shane Sinenci — have officially committed to campaigns for re-election while others haven’t jumped in officially, yet. Five council members — Kauanoe […]

Surrounded by community supporters, labor leaders and his grandsons, Mayor Richard Bissen officially filed nomination papers Monday morning to seek re-election as mayor of Maui County.

Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee said Wednesday evening that she will not seek re-election this year. Instead, the veteran council member is throwing her support behind Marvin Moniz, a longtime state Department of Transportation airports manager, to succeed her in the Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū residency seat.

Former Maui County Council Member Kelly King has officially announced her candidacy for the South Maui residency seat on the Maui County Council, setting up a rematch against incumbent Tom Cook less than a year after losing to him by 97 votes.

Maui Economic Opportunity is accepting table sponsorships from candidates for public office for the 54th Kūpuna Aloha Luncheon, set for July 25 at the Grand Wailea.

State Rep. Elle Cochran of West Maui missed 20% of floor sessions so far this year, the highest absence rate among all House members, according to House of Representatives’ Daily Session Attendance sheets. The records show Cochran was absent for 11 out of 55 session days.

Gov. Josh Green today announced the designation of Keith Regan, comptroller of the Department of Accounting and General Services, to serve as acting lieutenant governor for the state of Hawaiʻi, effective immediately, following Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s decision to take a leave of absence.