#Maui Mayor

Community budget meetings are scheduled this week in South Maui and West Maui for residents to share their priorities and provide input on the County budget for Fiscal Year 2028, which begins July 1, 2027.

Maui County mayoral candidate Yuki Lei Sugimura has earned the endorsement of the Chamber of Maui Political Action Committee (COMPAC), the non-partisan, non-sectarian committee that handles the candidate endorsement process for the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Richard Bissen signed Bill 98 into law yesterday, codifying the Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan and establishing a long-term framework to strengthen food security and Maui County’s local food system.

A community budget meeting is scheduled next week in Pāʻia-Haʻikū for residents to share their priorities and provide input on the County budget for Fiscal Year 2028, which begins July 1, 2027.

Tonight’s meeting (July 29) remains a Mayor’s Candidate Forum, and community advocate Gregg Blue will provide a brief update on recent developments on speed tables.

Maui County mayoral candidate Yuki Lei Sugimura announced that she has earned the endorsement of the General Contractors Association of Hawaiʻi, representing hundreds of general contractors, subcontractors, equipment vendors, material suppliers, and construction-related firms throughout Hawaiʻi.

Mayor Richard Bissen will bring Holomua Kākou back to East Maui on Monday, July 27, and Tuesday, July 28, 2026, as part of his ongoing efforts to bring County government directly to Maui County’s rural communities.

“Maui families are under real pressure: rising housing costs, higher bills, struggling small businesses, and residents wondering whether they can afford to stay home,” said LaCosta. “My plan is clear: cut the cost of living, restore Lahaina, fight for a Maui hospital, and bring honesty and accountability back to County government. We will turn renters into owners and lower rents.”

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.

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

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.

In his address, he highlighted Maui County’s continued progress across housing, recovery, well-being and economic stability, while outlining actions to strengthen communities and build a resilient future.

The Bissen 2026 Campaign announced that the Ironworkers Stabilization Fund and Iron Workers Union Local 625 have formally endorsed the re-election of Mayor Richard Bissen. The Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association, the largest public-sector union in Hawai‘i, also announced its endorsement of Mayor Richard Bissen in his 2026 re-election campaign.

The community is invited to attend the 2026 State of the County Address, which will be presented by Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s Castle Theater. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Yuki Lei Sugimura, Maui County Council Vice-Chair and holder of the Upcountry residency seat, has officially pulled papers to campaign for Mayor of Maui County.

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

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.

Mayor Richard Bissen will travel out of the state from the late morning of Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, until the evening of Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.

Mayor Bissen will visit New York City from July 15-18 to speak at the UN on sustainability and attend UN Foundation meetings with Hawai‘i Green Growth. From July 20-25, he will travel to Los Angeles to support wildfire recovery efforts with After the Fire USA.

While life has been difficult for Mike Victorino after losing his reelection bid for Maui County mayor in 2022 and taking on new health challenges, he has the love and support of his family and a strong will to see his great grandchildren grow up.