Re-elect Mayor Richard T. Bissen Jr.
JOIN BISSEN 2026
Empowering, prioritizing and delivering for the people of Maui Nui.
Mayor Richard Bissen
Change is not coming.
Change is here
Proven Leadership That Delivers for Maui Nui. Under Mayor Richard Bissen’s leadership, the County of Maui has delivered significant progress in housing, economy, wildfire recovery, public safety, infrastructure, and community well-being — with clear results for residents across Maui Nui.
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“Affordability is the foundation of everything we do, because if our residents cannot afford to live here, nothing else works.”
Addressing affordability requires a coordinated, systemwide response. Mayor Bissen is addressing affordability in a comprehensive way by increasing housing, investing in infrastructure and making responsible financial decisions that protect our residents.
Progress
Record investment in affordable housing through the Affordable Housing Fund
Developed the House Maui strategy aligning public, private and nonprofit partners to advance housing in Maui County
Infrastructure investments and use of County owned lands to unlock housing capacity
Strong financial management that helps us save money, reduce long-term costs and invest more back into our community
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“Our priority is keeping kamaʻāina in Maui County by making sure local housing serves local families.”
House Maui, developed under Mayor Bissen’s leadership, is a community-driven framework that aligns cross-sector partners and leverages County-owned land and infrastructure to reduce costs and accelerate housing for local families.
Progress
House Maui framework guiding long-term housing production
Increasing housing supply, delivering more than 880 affordable homes since 2023, increasing production by 190%, and building more than 2,000 homes overall, with nearly 3,000 affordable homes planned by 2030
Use of County-owned land to reduce costs and accelerate projects
Bill 9 restoring housing inventory to long-term residential use
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“Water is a public trust, and it must be managed in the best interest of our people, our environment and future generations.”
Mayor Bissen is committed to bringing water systems under public stewardship so decisions are made locally, with transparency and long-term sustainability in mind.
Progress
Active steps toward East Maui Community Water Authority implementation
Ongoing efforts to acquire and manage key water systems across Maui Nui
Coordination with Department of Water Supply and long-term infrastructure planning for public stewardship
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“Our commitment to Lahaina is long-term, and we are focused on helping families and businesses recover, rebuild and return home with dignity.”
Recovery is not just about rebuilding structures. It is about restoring a community, and that work must be guided by the people of Lahaina. It is about getting it right for the community and honoring Lahaina’s past, present, and future.
Progress
100% of impacted parcels cleared in historic debris removal effort
Approximately $1.6 billion in federal recovery funding secured
Transitional housing support extended to hundreds of families
Office of Recovery established, providing ongoing support services
Approximately 300 sites are under construction, with an expedited permitting process helping rebuild more than 450 homes and hundreds more in the pipeline
Maui Nui Priorities
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Kamaʻāina Housing
Prioritizing Housing Solutions That Benefit Local Residents—Keeping Our People Home
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Recovery
Moving From Recovery to Readiness
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Well-Being
Healthy People, Strong Community
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Cultural and Natural Resources
Honoring the Past, Sustaining the Present, Protecting the Future
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Economic Development and Diversification
Building a Resilient, Kamaʻāina-Centered Economy
Mayor Richard Bissen
Steadfast Leadership with the Courage to Make Change
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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Bissen is a retired, award-winning judge and prosecutor whose community service spans three decades.
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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.
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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.
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