Maui Election 2026

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.

Mayor Richard Bissen confirmed the endorsement of Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 in his campaign for re-election.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke announced today that she will not seek re-election to a second term. In a statement, Luke said, “This weekend, after a long discussion with my family and close friends, I decided not to seek re-election to a second term as Lieutenant Governor.”

The Maui Division of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 has officially endorsed Bobby Pahia for the Maui County Council Upcountry residency seat, citing his deep roots in the community, lifelong commitment to working families, and strong alignment with the union’s priorities.

Gov. Josh Green today announced the appointment of Michael Covenant “Cov” Ratcliffe to serve as the state Representative for House District 28, filling the vacancy created by the appointment of former Rep. Daniel Holt. House District 28 includes the communities of Sand Island, Iwilei and Chinatown.

The Bissen 2026 campaign announced the endorsement of Mayor Richard Bissen by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1186, representing more than 3,000 members across Hawaiʻi’s electrical and skilled workforce.

Maui County Council Vice-Chair and mayoral candidate Yuki Lei Sugimura announced today that her campaign has earned the endorsement of the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, the state’s largest construction union representing more than 6,000 skilled members.