Maui Election

Ahead of the general election on Nov. 5, hundreds of ʻōpio, kamaʻāina and first-time voters took part this week in “Walk to the Box” events in Wailuku, Honolulu and Hilo, waving signs and walking together to drop off their ballots at voting centers. The events were organized by Our Kaiāulu Votes, a coalition of schools and community organizations striving to inspire voter participation across Hawai‘i. 

Even with the political factions that have split the council in recent years, candidates on both sides of the aisle are cautious when it comes to the mayor’s proposal of completely phasing out short-term rentals.

The proposed amendments address the need for full-time staffing of the Board of Ethics; make it easier for people to serve a second term on county boards and commissions; and better define the role of the Salary Commission.

Maui County’s voters can expect to receive their General Election ballot packages starting Oct. 18.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation reminds everyone that installation of signs visible from state highways that do not fall under the exempted categories defined in Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Chapter 264, Part V is unlawful. This includes, but is not limited to, posting of political campaign signs on overpasses, fencing, signposts and poles.

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association held a candidate meet-and-greet event on Oct. 9 at the Maui Bay Villas, Hilton Grand Vacations in Kīhei.

The West Maui Taxpayers’ Association released its endorsements for the Nov. 5 general election.

Monday night’s candidate forum in Lahaina will be broadcast live by Akakū Maui Community Media from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Haʻikū Community Association will sponsor a Candidate’s Night this Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the Haʻikū Community Center. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the meeting will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The Kula Community Association will host a Candidate Forum at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at the Kula Community Center.  This event will feature candidates running for County Council and state offices. It covers nine races, offering a platform for candidates to present their views, respond to questions and hear directly from the candidates who wish to shape Maui County’s future.

The Kula Community Association (KCA) hosts a Candidate Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kula Community Center. This event will feature candidates running for Senate, House, and Maui County Council offices covering nine races. The event offers a platform for candidates to present their views and respond to questions.

First-term Maui County Council Member Tom Cook finished 145 votes ahead of former Council Member Kelly Takaya King in Saturday’s primary election by winning all Central Maui precincts and splitting votes with his rival Upcountry and in West Maui. In her bid to retake her former South Maui residency seat, King prevailed in all precincts from North Kīhei to Mākena and posted strong showings in East Maui.

The Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi hosts a Unity Breakfast event from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. today at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi on Beretania St. in Honolulu. The Unity Breakfast is a longstanding tradition where Democratic candidates come together in a show of strength and unity on the morning after the Primary Election.

“I’ve never said any race is a given,” West Maui state Rep. Elle Cochran said Saturday night. “A race is a race and people need options and I believe in all that. And who knows? I mean our whole town has been torn upside down. I don’t know where people’s heads are at or what they’re thinking. We’re just so divided right now. I mean really, our town is very divided.”

“I’m hopeful and it seems to be everybody in the community recognizes that she and I have very different views,” said Tom Cook, who was leading his primary race with Kelly King by a narrow margin late Saturday night.

The state’s fourth summary report was released just before 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. n the Maui races, the results were unchanged from the 1:30 a.m. third summary report released for Maui County overnight. The full results are posted here.

“Everybody’s staying very, very focused about the issues happening around Lahaina,” said Archie Kalepa, a veteran waterman with deep roots in West Maui. “Everything’s somehow in some shape or form connected to politics. It’s more important than ever for us to be vigilant, to be voting, to make sure we continue to get the support that Lahaina needs.”

Today is Primary Election Day across the state of Hawaiʻi. The election runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024.

A coalition of Native Hawaiian-serving organizations, including Kamehameha Schools, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, held “Walk to the Box” events on Friday across the pae ʻāina to rally voter participation ahead of the Hawaiʻi primary election on Saturday. The events are a part of Our Kaiāulu Votes, an initiative to inspire Native Hawaiians to participate in the civic process and make their voices heard. 

Maui County Council Chair Alice L. Lee announced that committee meetings will be held in alternate locations—including the Kalana Pākuʻi Conference Room—over the next several weeks to accommodate the 2024 election schedule.