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 Richard Bissen, nonpartisan candidate for Maui County Mayor.

His primary opponents are John Dunbar, Justin Herrmann, P. Denise La Costa, 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?

My career has been dedicated to public service as a prosecutor, judge and mayor. My experience has taught me to listen, weigh complex issues, make difficult decisions and bring people together. Over the past four years, we’ve guided Maui Nui through historic challenges while making meaningful progress on housing, recovery and emergency preparedness. I bring proven leadership, strong partnerships and a record of results, always focused on the future and well-being of Maui Nui.

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?

One of the most pressing challenges facing Maui County is affordability. When local families cannot afford to live here, it affects our workforce, economy and quality of life. We’ve increased affordable housing production by 190%, and by year’s end will have delivered more than 2,000 market and affordable homes. Looking ahead, we project more than 5,000 additional homes over the next four years. My focus is maintaining that momentum and keeping our people home.

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

Public safety is my priority. The speed humps were initiated and approved before my administration in response to community concerns about speeding and dangerous driving conditions. Recognizing differing opinions, I paused additional installations and directed staff to inspect existing speed humps to ensure they meet County standards. Any that do not will be removed and evaluated for replacement. Traffic-calming decisions should be guided by safety, engineering standards and community feedback.

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?

We are taking historic steps to bring more of Maui County’s water resources under public stewardship because decisions about this vital resource should be made by the people. In West Maui, the County is pursuing acquisitions that would increase public stewardship of drinking water from 45% to 93%. While costs are still being negotiated, the cost of inaction is far greater. Public stewardship will help protect water resources for housing, agriculture and emergency preparedness.

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 a critical part of Maui County’s economy and must be managed responsibly. The magic of Maui is its culture and its people and tourism should be guided through a cultural lens that honors our land, respects our community and preserves the traditions and values that make Maui unique. We must balance economic opportunity with impacts on infrastructure, the environment and residents. When our people thrive, visitors are welcomed and have a better, more authentic experience.

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?

Protecting our groundwater and nearshore waters is critical, but many families cannot afford a cesspool conversion. My administration is working with state and federal partners to expand financial assistance, connect more residents to sewer infrastructure, as we did in Wahikuli during the rebuild, and pursue wastewater solutions in places like Māʻalaea. Meeting the 2050 deadline will require practical solutions that protect both our environment and local families.

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?

All people should feel safe and be treated with dignity, respect and fairness. As mayor, my responsibility is to protect the well-being of everyone who calls Maui County home. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. Our local law enforcement officers will remain focused on their core mission of preventing crime, responding to emergencies and serving our community. Maintaining trust between law enforcement and residents is essential to public safety.

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.

Mental health is one of the most urgent challenges facing our community. Too many individuals and families struggle to access the care they need. My administration has expanded treatment capacity through Aloha House, strengthened partnerships with providers and nonprofits, and launched the Maui Nui Partners in Healing Initiative to improve coordination and support. I will continue working to expand access to mental and behavioral health services across Maui County.

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?

Every dollar must be spent with transparency, accountability and a focus on community priorities. Our recovery has been community-led and government-supported, with residents helping shape a plan centered on housing, infrastructure and long-term resilience. Strong financial oversight and public reporting will help ensure funds are directed where they have the greatest impact. The partnerships we’ve built will be critical as we continue pursuing resources to support Maui’s long-term recovery.

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 our environment, watersheds, agriculture and public safety. Maui Nui has strong partnerships already doing important work, and our efforts to detect and respond to threats like the CRB have helped prevent the widespread impacts seen elsewhere in Hawaiʻi. I support expanding prevention, early detection, rapid response efforts, strengthening invasive species management and protecting our watersheds. Prevention remains the most effective and cost-efficient tool we have.

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 don’t view this as an unresolved issue. The law phasing out certain TVRs is already in place, and Bill 88 has passed first reading. Initially, there was some misunderstanding about its intent. Bill 88 does not undo the law; it provides a pathway for properties that have historically operated like hotels and may qualify for H-3 or H-4 zoning. Together, these measures help restore balance by expanding housing opportunities while providing clarity for property owners.

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

Through Holomua Kākou, we’ve brought local government directly into rural communities throughout Maui Nui. We’ve strengthened communication with residents through community meetings, digital engagement and a revamped county website. Since the Lahaina wildfire, we have hosted more than 140 community meetings to share information and hear directly from residents. We will continue expanding these efforts to ensure government remains accessible, responsive and transparent.