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Maui Elections 2026

Issues

Emergency preparedness

Wildfire readiness after Lahaina — MEMA staffing, firefighters, detection, and prevention.

Largely noncontroversial relative to Bill 9. Bissen highlights MEMA growth and firefighter hiring. All major candidates support improved fire prevention and emergency preparedness after the Lahaina wildfire.

Where leading candidates stand

  • Richard T. Bissen Jr.

    Supports

    Grew MEMA from 9 to 25 staff; added 29 firefighter positions; smoke-detector cameras.

  • Yuki Lei Sugimura

    Supports

    Supports improved fire prevention and emergency readiness as part of infrastructure and accountability agenda.

  • P. Denise La Costa

    Supports

    Supports improved preparedness; ties resilience to infrastructure and West Maui recovery priorities.