P R O S E C U T O R . J U D G E . M A Y O R .
Re-elect Mayor Richard T. Bissen Jr.
VOTE! Drop off your ballot by 7pm on Tuesday, November 3
PROSECUTOR. JUDGE. MAYOR.
The Strength to Do
What's Right Every Day
Aloha,
Everything we’ve worked toward, from securing our water future and building more homes to strengthening emergency preparedness and rebuilding Lahaina, comes back to our people.
We’ve made real progress, but there is still important work ahead.
At my core, I'm am a son of Maui, raised by two U.S. military veteran parents who taught me discipline, integrity and the importance of finishing what you start.
With your vote, that's exactly what I will to do.
Mahalo, Rick
-
DELIVERED:
Signed an historic agreement to acquire a major West Maui water system and advanced the purchase of the Launiupoko and Olowalu water systems
Continuing negotiations to acquire the Wailuku Water Company system to strengthen public stewardship of Nā Wai ʻEhā water resources
Seeking to advance public management of East Maui water while supporting the long-term needs of our communities and sustainable agriculture
NEXT: Continue expanding public stewardship, developing new water sources and investing in the infrastructure Maui Nui will depend on for generations.
-
DELIVERED:
Increased affordable housing production by 190%
Delivering more than 2,000 market and affordable homes
Investing $250 million in affordable housing
Building homes on County lands to keep housing affordable for local families
Investing $1.29 billion in infrastructure to support housing development
NEXT: Expand water and infrastructure capacity to support the delivery of more than 5,000 additional homes over the next four years.
-
DELIVERED:
Tripled emergency management staffing
Launching Hawaiʻi’s most advanced Emergency Operations Center, nearly quadrupling coordinated emergency response capacity
Strengthened wildfire detection and warning and emergency response capabilities across Maui Nui
NEXT: Continue investing in water resilience, wildfire prevention and response, early detection, emergency communications and evacuation readiness to keep Maui Nui safer.
-
DELIVERED:
Secured $1.6 billion in federal disaster recovery funding
Over 600 homes built and occupied, with another 400 under construction
80% of housing units lost in the wildfire are on a path to rebuild
More than $563 million aligned for critical water, wastewater and transportation recovery infrastructure
NEXT: Accelerate Lahaina’s commercial rebuilding, help local businesses reopen and restore jobs, while advancing the cultural and historic restoration of places like Mokuʻula and Loko o Mokuhinia at the heart of Lahaina.
Maui Nui Priorities
-
![]()
Kamaʻāina Housing
Prioritizing Housing Solutions That Benefit Local Residents—Keeping Our People Home
-
![]()
Recovery
Moving From Recovery to Readiness
-
![]()
Well-Being
Healthy People, Strong Community
-
![]()
Cultural and Natural Resources
Honoring the Past, Sustaining the Present, Protecting the Future
-
![]()
Economic Development and Diversification
Building a Resilient, Kamaʻāina-Centered Economy
MAYOR RICHARD BISSEN
Steadfast Leadership with the Courage to Make Change
-
The strength of Maui has always lived in its people — neighbors who show up, listen, and lead with aloha. Across the islands, community groups, cultural practitioners, and everyday residents are shaping the future from the ground up.
The role of government is not to stand in front, but to stand beside — to provide resources, coordination, and support so that local voices can guide what happens in their own communities.
Under Mayor Bissen’s leadership, this approach has guided recovery, housing, and planning efforts across Maui County. It reflects a simple belief: when solutions are built by the people who live here, they last.
Together, we honor our shared kuleana — to care for each other, to mālama our ʻāina, and to build a Maui where every ʻohana can remain rooted in place.
-
We all come from somewhere.
For me, those roots stretch from Pāʻia to Pi‘ihana — from Ke’ane to Kahakuloa — where my childhood roots grew alongside the kalo my dad and I planted in our lo‘i. That’s where I learned village values — and what it means to work in the lepo.
Our foundation grounds us. It shapes who we are, how we serve, and how deeply we care for this place we call home. Each of us share in our collective kuleana — to support one another, and to prepare for the future of our kamali‘i.
-
My hope is anchored in the future of my grandsons and all our keiki. It drives me to serve — not just today, but for every tomorrow.
Together, we can build a stronger Maui Nui for generations to come.
-
Together, we’ve faced challenge with courage. We’ve built a foundation grounded in our collective values and the strength of our people.
It has been an honor to serve as your Mayor. The work continues. I humbly ask for your support — to keep growing together in building a stronger Maui Nui for generations to come.
A BISSEN ADMINISTRATION
Community Led, Government Supported
“Together, we’ve faced tremendous challenges, and together, we’ve laid the foundation for Maui Nui’s path,” Mayor Bissen said. “Now, we must continue the progress we’ve begun...”
“Through it all, my focus has remained the same — advancing Kamaʻāina housing, protecting our natural and cultural resources, and strengthening recovery and well-being for all of Maui County.”.
As Maui Nui continues to heal, Mayor Bissen said the work is far from finished.
“Together, we’ve built a foundation grounded in our collective values and the strength of our people.”. “But the work continues. I humbly ask for your continued support — to keep growing together in building a stronger Maui Nui for generations to come.”
-
Bissen is a retired, award-winning judge and prosecutor whose community service spans three decades.
-
After being elected as mayor by an overwhelming majority in 2022 and taking office Jan. 1, 2023, he has accomplished much in a short time, including:
Accelerated the delivery of local housing — completing and starting construction on more than 780 affordable and workforce units, while securing funding for 1,600+ homes that will serve kamaʻāina families for generations.
Established the Lahaina Advisory Team and the Office of Recovery to guide Lahaina’s complex rebuilding.
Holding more than 100 community meetings in Lahaina and in Kula to offer updates and hear feedback from impacted residents.
Securing $1.6 billion in federal disaster relief aid, with more than $900 billion going to housing programs.
Introduced Bill 9 to transition thousands of vacation rentals to long-term housing for local families.
Long-term planning for sustainable tourism and small business support via the Office of Economic Development.
Implementing innovative approaches to water management and resource development.
Reviving the Maui County Fair after a six-year hiatus.
Initiating Holomua Kākou to bring County government to rural communities, including Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Hāna.
-
Come share your mana'o and learn more about Mayor Bissen's vision for the future of Maui Nui and how we will build it together.
SIGN UP FOR UPDATES