Maui Election

Lahaina Strong, a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting the recovery and resilience of Lahaina, will rally at the Hawaiʻi Capitol at 11:30 a.m. following the official opening of the state legislature.

Representative Mahina Poepoe of Molokaʻi continues her service on the House’s Act 279 Working Group, to oversee the Department of Hawaiian Home Land’s execution of funds.

Newly appointed state House Rep. Tyson Miyake will serve on the Housing, Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, and Transportation committees. 

Maui lawmakers are among those selected for leadership roles in the upcoming legislative session. Sen. Lynn DeCoite was named Assistant Majority Floor Leader and Sen. Troy Hashimoto was selected as one of five Assistant Majority Whips.

Governor Josh Green, M.D., named State Representative and former State House Vice Speaker John Mizuno as the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness.   

Governor Josh Green today appointed Tyson K. Miyake as the new Representative to the State House, filling the District 10 vacancy created by the movement of former Rep. Troy Hashimoto to the state Senate.

The three individuals whose names were sent to the governor for consideration are: Timothy Scott Lara (left), Local entrepreneur, and community leader; Leslee D. Matthews (middle), Social worker and Local Attorney; and Tyson K. Miyake (right), former Chief of Staff to Mayor Victorino.

The State Central Committee, the governing body for the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, voted in Adrian Tam as their new interim Party Chair at a special meeting that was held on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.

Speaker Scott K. Saiki announced that effective Nov. 27, 2023, Representative Luke A. Evslin is appointed to serve as Chair of the House Committee on Housing. The position was vacant following the Governor’s appointment of Representative Troy N. Hashimoto to the Hawaiʻi State Senate.

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen acknowledged: “Housing was an issue on Maui and in West Maui before Aug. 8, and it became, obviously, a bigger issue after that.” “Our duty as government is to present the other options that people have. Let’s talk of creating a land trust,” said the mayor. That was one of the topics that was also explored at the Native Hawaiian Convention.

Maui Managing Director, Kekuhaupio “Keku” Akana, will retire from the County of Maui effective Dec. 31. He was Mayor Richard Bissen’s first cabinet appointment following the 2022 elections. In deciding to retire, Akana pointed to wanting to spend more time with his ʻohana including seven grandchildren.

Last Thursday, State House Representative Troy N. Hashimoto was appointed by Governor Josh Green, M.D. to fill the Senate District 5 vacancy created by outgoing State Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran who resigned on Oct. 31, 2023. This appointment resulted in a seat vacancy for House District 10.

Governor Josh Green, M.D. today announced Troy Hashimoto as the Senate successor to Gil Keith-Agaran, who resigned from the post effective Oct. 31. Hashimoto said he would continue to work on key areas of affordable housing, education and health care in his new capacity.

The members of the Maui County Committee’s Senate District 5 selection body – comprised of the party’s district officers who reside in Senate District 5 – have selected three names to send to Governor Josh Green for his consideration to fill the Senate vacancy created by the Oct. 31 resignation of Senator Gil Keith-Agaran.

Maui voters impacted by the August 2023 wildfires are urged to check and update their voter registration ahead of the 2024 Elections.

Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran (District 5, Wailuku, Kahului, Waiheʻe, Waikapū Mauka, and Waiehu) issued the following statement announcing his retirement from the Hawaiʻi State Senate, effective Oct. 31, 2023.

In his address, Mayor Bissen described work by his administration in priority areas of housing, water, infrastructure, economic development, and environment. He also discussed work to find a resolution surrounding the opening of the long-awaited Kūlanihākoʻi High School in South Maui. 

Today marks day 100 of Governor Josh Green, M.D.’s administration. Gov. Green became Hawaiʻi’s ninth governor on Dec. 5, 2022.

Mayor Richard Bissen will deliver his first State of the County address at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 21 on the front lawn of Kalana O Maui, the County Building in Wailuku.

Maui County Council on Friday night named Upcountry Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura as council vice chairperson. Sugimura’s nomination for vice chairperson didn’t go without pushback, though. The 7-2 vote reflected opposition by council members Keani Rawlins-Fernandez and Tamara Paltin.