About the 2026 Maui Mayoral Race — Incumbent Running
The 2026 Maui mayoral race centers on one overriding question: how well has the county government managed the aftermath of the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire — the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century — and what does recovery look like for the next four years? Incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen took office in December 2022 and has spent most of his first term navigating the disaster response: emergency housing placement, debris removal, rebuilding permitting, and coordinating with state and federal agencies. His re-election campaign is built squarely on that record, arguing that leadership continuity is essential during the multi-year Lahaina rebuild. Nine challengers have filed to oppose him: John Dunbar, Justin Herrmann, P. Denise La Costa, Travis A. Liggett, Joseph Moses, Amy Petterson, Yuki Lei Kashiwa Sugimura, Callahan P. Welsh, and Laurent Zahnd. Together they represent a wide range of perspectives on recovery oversight, housing policy, and the county's long-term relationship with the visitor industry. Beyond the immediate wildfire recovery, the race is shaped by the same pressures straining housing markets across the state: median home prices in Maui County have long been among the highest in Hawaiʻi, vacation rental proliferation has reduced long-term rental inventory, and wildfire displacement compounded an already acute shortage of workforce and affordable housing. How aggressively the next mayor pursues workforce housing production, what limits (if any) are placed on short-term rentals in West Maui's recovering communities, and how the county balances tourism-dependent revenues against resident quality of life are the central policy questions before voters. The primary will narrow the field before the November general election.
Primary date: 2026-08-08
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent
Platform: Born-and-raised Maui candidate running for mayor on a proactive three-step plan for water, homelessness, and housing.
- Born and raised in Maui by a local couple; describes herself as a passionate, dedicated candidate committed to integrity and lasting positive change; argues that Maui needs a proactive government that implements new policy rather than reacting to crises.
- On water crisis and flooding: proposes reintroducing incentives for rainwater collection (drawing from prior Oʻahu and Maui programs), introducing green roofs on county buildings, and installing water bunds (earth smiles) to reduce low-land flooding risk.
- On homelessness and housing: believes the housing crisis and homelessness have grown for years and require immediate, new policy and safe, environmentally-conscious development to prevent problems before they occur.
- Campaigns for 'a chance for the next generation to thrive' — framing Maui Nui's recent crises (Lāhainā wildfire, floods, inflation, rising interest rates) as solvable with dedicated leadership and forward-looking policy.
Editorial summary: Amy Petterson is a born-and-raised Maui candidate running for mayor on a proactive platform documented at votepetterson2026.com. Her vision centers on a three-step plan addressing Maui's water crisis (rainwater incentives, green roofs, water bunds), housing affordability, and homelessness — framed around protecting the island for future generations.
Key issues: Water crisis & flood management, Housing affordability, Homelessness, Environmental protection
Website: https://votepetterson2026.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03