Civil Beat has asked candidates for the primary election on Aug. 8 to answer a survey about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected. There are 10 candidates on the primary ballot and the top two finalists will go through to the General Election ballot in November.

The following comes from P. Denise La Costa, nonpartisan candidate for Maui County Mayor.

Her primary opponents are incumbent Richard Bissen, John Dunbar, Justin Herrmann, Travis A. Liggett, Joseph Moses, Amy Petterson, Yuki Lei Sugimura, Callahan P. Welsh and Laurent Zahnd.

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 mayor? And why do you want the job?

I live in Lahaina and have watched families struggle with rising costs, delayed recovery, and a lack of accountability in county government. As a business owner, former planning commissioner, and community leader, I understand housing, infrastructure, budgeting and public service. I am running because Maui needs leadership focused on affordability, transparency, rebuilding Lahaina, ensuring our residents are heard, and ensuring local families can continue to live and thrive in Maui County.

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?

Affordability is Maui County’s biggest challenge. According to the 2024 ALICE Report, more than half of our households struggle to meet basic living expenses. In my first six months, I will launch Homes Together to increase housing opportunities, conduct a forensic audit of county finances, improve oversight of recovery funds and work to reduce unnecessary taxes, fees and regulations that drive up costs for residents.

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

Poor road engineering creates the dangerous conditions that make speed humps feel necessary. I’ll examine the root cause — design failures, contractor accountability and whether county procurement is delivering quality infrastructure. I’ll investigate who is getting these contracts and why there are so many on our roads. Are humps solving a problem bad engineering created? I’ll work with engineering to be sure the designs, if flawed, are corrected. Community input will drive every decision.

The county has been moving forward with plans to bring much more of Maui’s water supply under public ownership instead of private. What are the obstacles to achieving that goal, and what is the cost?

The challenges are funding, legal requirements, infrastructure costs and coordination with state agencies that regulate water allocation. Commission on Water Resource Managements controls allocation, not the county. But a mayor can lead. Water = Ola i ka wai. I’ll support the Department of Water Supply, advocate for responsible public stewardship, reduce the Upcountry water meter backlog, and work with state partners to improve long-term water security. Any acquisition must be financially responsible and serve the public interest.

Overtourism can degrade the environment, contribute to wear and tear on infrastructure, generate traffic and disrupt neighborhoods. What do you think about the amount of tourism on Maui and how it’s managed?

Tourism remains the foundation of Maui’s economy and supports thousands of local jobs. The issue is not tourism itself but how it is managed. Communities experiencing the impacts of tourism should receive investments in roads, parks, beaches, public safety and infrastructure. My administration will support responsible visitor management while ensuring tourism revenues help improve residents’ quality of life and preserve Maui’s unique environment and culture.

There are thousands of cesspools on Maui that must be removed by 2050. With an average cost of $15,000 to $30,000 to convert to septic, many homeowners say making the transition is not affordable. What should the county do to help with the conversion?

The county should help make compliance affordable. I support grants, incentives and cost-sharing programs that reduce the financial burden on homeowners. We should also explore group conversion programs to lower costs through economies of scale and streamline permitting to speed projects. The goal is to protect water quality while helping families comply with federal laws without creating financial hardship.

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

My priority is public safety and community trust. Maui County will comply with federal and state law while focusing local resources on local responsibilities. County personnel should not be diverted from serving residents and protecting public safety. People must feel safe reporting crimes, cooperating with law enforcement, and accessing county services regardless of their background. Strong communities are built on trust and respect. Local jurisdiction MUST be paramount. No federal take over.

There is a growing mental health crisis on Maui, which faces a huge shortage in adult psychiatrists as well as primary care doctors. Outline what steps you will take to support efforts to meet that gap in services.

The county cannot license doctors, but it can help attract and retain them. I will support housing incentives for healthcare professionals, advocate for expanded mental health services, improve access to telehealth and strengthen crisis response programs. Mental health challenges affect families, schools, workplaces and public safety. My administration will work with healthcare providers and community organizations to improve access to care and build a hospital in West Maui.

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 is the county doing to ensure those dollars are spent wisely and efficiently?

Currently – NOTHING! Residents deserve transparency and results. I will appoint a Recovery Chief responsible for tracking projects, meeting deadlines and providing regular public reports. Recovery spending must be measurable, accountable and easy for the public to follow. Every dollar should move rebuilding efforts forward and help families recover. My administration will focus on efficiency, oversight and delivering homes and businesses in Lahaina – results rather than more bureaucracy.

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

Invasive species threaten agriculture, native ecosystems, watersheds and public resources. While progress has been made, efforts remain fragmented and underfunded. I support stronger coordination among agencies, dedicated funding for invasive species management, expanded deer control programs and greater public education. Protecting Maui’s natural resources requires proactive action and long-term commitment; we cannot wait to respond only when problems become more severe.

The county now has a law on the books to 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 should be done about this unresolved issue?

I will repeal Bill 9. Bill 88 will be moot. The vacation rental issue requires a balanced solution that protects housing opportunities, jobs, tax revenue and property rights. Ongoing litigation creates uncertainty for residents, businesses and property owners. I’ll increase housing availability through new construction and targeted assistance programs rather than relying on measures that divide communities. We need practical solutions that address affordability while protecting Maui’s economy.

How would you make the county administration more transparent and accessible to the public?

Transparency builds trust. Within my first 30 days, I will initiate a forensic audit of county operations, expand public access to contracts and procurement information, strengthen ethics oversight and improve reporting on major projects/recovery spending. Residents deserve information about how tax dollars are spent and whether government is meeting its commitments. Open, accountable government will be a priority of my administration. Every other week I will have ‘Meet the Mayor’ sessions.