Civil Beat has asked candidates for the Hawaiʻi elections to answer a survey about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following comes from Jason Ababan, nonpartisan candidate for Maui County Council, Kahului District.

His opponents in the Aug. 8 primary election are Kaunoenoe Batangan and Carol Lee Kamekona.

Go to Civil Beat’s 2026 Elections Guide for general information, and check out the other candidates on Civil Beatʻs 2026 Hawaiʻi Primary Ballot.

Why are you best suited for the job of council member, and why do you want the job?

I’m running for Maui County Council because Kahului needs results-driven leadership. With 27 years professional IT experience – 15 of those years as IT manager for the Fairmont Kea Lani, I’ve mastered budgets, teams and systems. I’ll modernize county operations, streamline housing and permitting. I want this job to champion Maui First: affordable kamaʻāina housing, safer streets and practical homelessness solutions. Local problem-solver fighting for our ‘ohana.

What is the biggest issue facing Maui County, and what is the first thing you would do to address it in the first six months after being elected?

The biggest issue facing Maui County is the homelessness crisis and lack of affordable housing for kamaʻāina. It impacts safety, in neighborhoods and areas like Pūlehu Rd, and our way of life. In my first six months, I’d push a Maui First action plan: enforce illegal camping ordinances, launch a Return-to-Home program for out-of-state individuals and fast-track permitting for local housing projects.

Here’s one question from a constituent: What is your position on upcountry speed humps? Would you remove them? Why or why not?

I don’t have a firm position on whether Upcountry speed humps should stay or be removed. This is a local issue that should ultimately be decided by the Upcountry community itself, based on their firsthand experiences with safety and traffic flow. As council member, I’ll listen to residents, gather input and support whatever solution best serves Upcountry families.

The county now has a law on the books to effectively phase out several thousand vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts starting in 2029. The companion measure to grandfather in more than half of those properties has since been rejected by all three planning commissions. What would you do as a council member about this?

I support phasing out vacation rentals from apartment-zoned districts starting in 2029. These short-term rentals directly reduce long-term housing stock and drive up rents, making Maui unaffordable for kamaʻāina families. As council member, I’ll defend the law’s intent, oppose efforts to weaken it, and prioritize converting these units back to resident housing.

Hawai‘i has a long-stated goal of growing more of its own food. What would you do to further that effort toward increased food sustainability?

I strongly support Hawai‘i’s goal of growing more of our own food for greater sustainability and resilience. As council member, I’d prioritize streamlining permitting for small kamaʻāina farms, protect agricultural lands from development, expand incentives for local food production, and improve water access for farmers. A Maui First approach means supporting our local growers to reduce reliance on imports and strengthen our food security.

The county has been moving forward with plans to bring much more of Maui’s water supply under public ownership instead of private. What steps would you take to get a better handle on Maui’s water future?

I support moving toward greater public ownership and oversight of Maui’s water to ensure it serves residents first. As council member, I’d take these steps: conduct a full transparent audit of current supplies and usage, prioritize infrastructure upgrades and leak repairs, protect watershed lands, expand conservation incentives, and balance agricultural, environmental, and kamaʻāina residential needs under a Maui First water strategy.

Overtourism can degrade the environment, contribute to wear and tear on infrastructure, generate traffic and disrupt neighborhoods. How well is Maui managing the tourism industry that drives its economy? What would you do differently?

Maui’s tourism drives our economy but overtourism is harming our environment, infrastructure, traffic, neighborhoods and housing affordability. Current management isn’t balancing visitor volume with our island’s capacity. As council member, I’d implement a Maui First approach: smarter visitor caps and fees for infrastructure repairs, protect residential areas, convert short-term rentals to local housing, and promote sustainable tourism that puts kamaʻāina first.

What should Maui County do to get in front of climate change rather than just reacting and adapting to it?

Maui must lead proactively on climate change, not just adapt. As council member, I’d champion a Maui First plan: accelerate renewable energy and grid resilience, protect watersheds and coastal lands, incentivize green building and regenerative agriculture, and expand reforestation. Prevention through smart local action will better secure our future.

Maui has been targeted for enforcement by ICE agents. What will be the position of your office to requests for more cooperation between county law enforcement and federal authorities?

I support cooperation between Maui County law enforcement and federal authorities, including ICE. Public safety comes first. I haven’t seen ICE agents active on Maui, but if they’re here it’s to enforce federal law against those who’ve broken it. As council member, my office will prioritize a Maui First approach: assisting in removing criminal offenders and protecting communities, while respecting due process.

The $1.6 billion federal Community Block Development Grant is the largest disaster loan in U.S. history, but it falls far short of the estimates for recovery from the 2023 wildfires. What would you do to make those dollars count?

The $1.6B CDBG grant is vital but must be spent with maximum accountability. As council member, I’d push for full transparency, independent audits and strict oversight to cut waste and bureaucracy. Prioritize rebuilding housing, critical infrastructure and wildfire prevention under a Maui First recovery plan that delivers real results for affected families.

The cost of living on Maui continues to remain high. How can county government help working and middle-class people buy homes, pay rent or otherwise afford to live and work on the island?

Maui’s high cost of living is pushing families out. As council member, I’d fight it with a Maui First housing plan: streamline permitting for affordable and workforce units, convert more vacation rentals back to long-term housing, reduce red tape and prioritize local residents in new developments to make buying and renting truly attainable for working families.

What is your assessment of programs combating invasive species in Maui Nui and what other measures would you advocate for you in office?

Current programs combating invasive species in Maui Nui have made important progress but remain underfunded and need better coordination to fully protect our native ecosystems, agriculture and watersheds. As council member, I’d push for increased funding, community rapid-response teams, stronger biosecurity measures and landowner incentives under a Maui First protection strategy.