ABOUT
Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr.
Biography
Mayor Richard T. Bissen Jr. serves as the ninth Mayor of the County of Maui, bringing more than three decades of public service, deep cultural connections, and a strong commitment to community-centered leadership. A lifelong resident of Maui Nui and former Chief Judge of the Second Circuit Court, his leadership priorities focus on securing housing for kamaʻāina, enhancing community well-being, ensuring water access, strengthening infrastructure, bolstering emergency preparedness and protecting cultural and natural resources.
Guided by his philosophy of collective kuleana (shared responsibility), Mayor Bissen played a pivotal role in Maui’s recovery after the 2023 wildfires, creating the County of Maui Office of Recovery and securing $1.6 billion in federal disaster relief for housing and infrastructure. He established the Lahaina Advisory Team to elevate the voices of everyday heroes shaping Maui’s future and led a culturally grounded recovery plan that reflects local values and preserves Maui’s heritage. Through the Holomua Kākou initiative, he expanded government transparency and engagement, bringing County leadership and services to remote communities. He also works alongside the state’s Department of ʻŌiwi Resources on issues where cultural stewardship and county responsibilities intersect, ensuring Native Hawaiian priorities remain part of Maui’s planning and land-use conversations.
Beyond policy, the Bissen Administration has focused on strengthening the everyday fabric of community life in Maui County. Mayor Bissen played a pivotal role in bringing back the Maui County Fair, supporting a tradition that connects families across generations. His administration continues to uplift small businesses through efforts like pop-up marketplaces and community-driven retail opportunities. It also made PALS free for families, ensuring keiki have safe, enriching places to learn and grow.
Before becoming mayor, he served in several key leadership roles, including Maui County Prosecuting Attorney, First Deputy Attorney General, and Acting Director of the State Department of Public Safety. He was a founding member of Maui’s Drug Court program and was the Second Circuit’s first Mental Health Court judge, championing a compassionate, holistic approach to justice.
In recognition of his exceptional service, Mayor Bissen has received numerous awards, including the 1999 Citizen of the Year Award for his work in domestic violence from the Men’s March Against Violence, the 2001 Lawyer of the Year Award from the Maui County Bar Association and the prestigious 2021 Hawaiʻi Jurist of the Year honor.
Mayor Bissen graduated from St. Anthony High School in Wailuku, where he was later inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2001 for outstanding community service. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science from Santa Clara University and a Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where he was honored in 2013 as the first neighbor island recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award. He is a member of the Hale Mua cultural group and the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Kahekili Chapter IV. He also completed formal training in the traditional Hawaiian practice of hoʻoponopono in 2022, reinforcing his commitment to healing and reconciliation.
He and his wife, Isabella Kaʻihikapulani Eleneki Bissen, have been married for 30 years and are proud parents of three daughters and four grandsons.
JOIN US TODAY
Donate, register to vote and follow us on social media.