Incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen Wins Re-election in Maui's Post-Wildfire General Vote

Maui County Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. won re-election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, defeating challenger Yuki Lei Sugimura in the county's first mayoral race since the deadly 2023 wildfires. According to totals reported by Maui Now and Maui News, Richard T. Bissen, Jr. secured 27,567 votes, or 54.8%, while Yuki Lei Sugimura Kashiwa received 21,409 votes, or 42.6%. The election saw a total turnout of 50,324 votes out of 117,726 registered voters, resulting in a 42.7% turnout rate comprised mostly of 47,362 mail ballots and 2,962 in-person ballots.

Honolulu Civil Beat reported that the race was defined by opposing views on handling the county's housing shortage and long-term ownership of local water infrastructure. Sugimura's campaign drew criticism from opponents over her stance on Bill 9, Bissen's legislation to phase out short-term vacation rentals to create long-term housing, and received substantial backing from real estate and tourism industries, luxury property developers, and an Airbnb-funded group. Meanwhile, the "For A Better Tomorrow" Super PAC affiliated with the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters spent nearly $1.8 million on ads, social media, and mailers supporting Sugimura in the month before the election, alongside approximately $565,000 prior to Sept. 26. On the other side, the labor-backed PAC "Hawaiʻi Workers Strong" gave just under $40,000 supporting Bissen, and "Working Families First" contributed $11,570.

Reflecting on his victory, Richard Bissen, Jr. told Honolulu Civil Beat, “It feels like vindication or validation… When you think about someone like a union who's endorsing you or someone who's going to stand on a public street with a t-shirt on that has your name on it, and their face is visible to every person driving by, they are making a statement.” Yuki Lei Sugimura stated on election night, “Well, the outcome is not what we wanted, but I definitely enjoyed this journey… Every day I’m watching with all I’ve learned, I want to make sure he does everything that he has said he is going to do, and do it well.”

Who won the Maui County Council and State House races?

Maui County Council elections and State House contests representing Maui districts yielded decisive victories across most seats, though one local race remained tight.

• East Maui: Shane Sinenci won with 25,063 votes (49.8%) against Claire Kamalu Carroll (16,325 / 32.4%).
• West Maui: Tamara Akiko Maile Paltin won with 30,389 votes (60.4%) against Mark Tillman (12,320 / 24.5%).
• Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu: Marvin Moniz won with 25,877 votes (51.4%) against Ashley Awakea Lindsey (16,077 / 32.0%).
• Kahului: Kauanoe Batangan led with 22,273 votes (44.3%) over Carol Lee Kamekona (20,266 / 40.3%).
• South Maui: Kelly Takaya King won with 23,686 votes (47.1%) defeating incumbent Tom Cook (20,942 / 41.6%).
• Makawao-Haiku-Paia: Nohe Uʻu-Hodgins won with 26,269 votes (52.2%) against Stevie Kathryn Chung (15,161 / 30.1%).
• Upcountry: Bobby Pahia won with 30,381 votes (60.4%) against Jon Masaru Yokouchi (12,681 / 25.2%).
• Lanai: Gabe Johnson ran unopposed and received 33,271 votes (66.1%).
• Molokai: Keani Rawlins-Fernandez retained her seat with 33,123 votes (65.8%).

In the State House contests, Democratic incumbents swept Districts 10 through 13, with Tyson K. Miyake taking District 10 (71.4%), Terez Amato winning District 11 (67.6%), Kyle T. Yamashita winning District 12 (67.0%), and Mahina Poepoe taking District 13 (75.2%). For District 14, Maui Now and Maui News reported a tight three-way race where Green Party candidate Pa'ele Kiakona led with 41.1% (2,991 votes) over Democrat Sne Patel (39.6% / 2,884 votes) and Republican Elle Cochran (17.0% / 1,236 votes), maintaining a 107-vote differential.

What charter amendments did voters approve?

Maui voters passed seven out of eight proposed Maui County Charter Amendments concerning local governance and administrative procedures.

• Planning Commission Review of General Plan and Land Use Ordinances: Passed with 36,490 votes (72.5%) in favor to 7,555 votes (15.0%) opposed.
• Voter initiative, recall, and charter amendment standardizing deadlines: Passed with 35,865 votes (71.3%) in favor to 7,131 votes (14.2%) opposed.
• Computation of Time: Passed with 31,384 votes (62.4%) in favor to 11,375 votes (22.6%) opposed.
• Processing of Claims: Passed with 34,372 votes (68.3%) in favor to 8,364 votes (16.6%) opposed.
• Removing English Translation of Hawaii State Motto: Defeated with 25,714 votes (51.1%) opposed to 19,473 votes (38.7%) in favor.
• Emergency Appropriations: Passed with 30,219 votes (60.1%) in favor to 12,732 votes (25.3%) opposed.
• Independent Nomination Board: Defeated with 20,781 votes (41.3%) opposed to 20,509 votes (40.8%) in favor.
• Reappointment of Members of the Board of Ethics: Passed with 27,296 votes (54.3%) in favor to 16,153 votes (32.1%) opposed.

When will final election results be certified?

Final certification of all results depends on resolving remaining deficient ballot envelopes across the county. According to Maui Now, the County Clerk's office reported 838 deficient ballot envelopes remaining countywide, including 151 in Maui's District 14. Voters have until 4:30 p.m. on November 10, 2026, to resolve these issues and have their votes counted.