Maui Agricultural & Land Use Policies May Shift Under New County Council Candidate

As incumbent Yuki Lei Sugimura vacates her Maui County Council seat to run for mayor, prominent kalo farmer Bobby Pahia has announced his candidacy. This development introduces a significant agricultural voice into the council race, potentially influencing future policy decisions impacting land use, development, and agricultural support on Maui. The outcome of this election could therefore reshape the balance of influence on critical county planning and regulatory matters.

Who's Affected

• Real Estate Owners: Property owners, developers, and landlords, particularly those with holdings in or near agricultural zones, should pay close attention. Pahia's candidacy may signal an increased emphasis on preserving agricultural land. This could translate into stricter regulations on development permits, rezoning applications, and conversions of agricultural land for non-farming purposes. Property taxes tied to development potential might also be indirectly affected if land use policies become more restrictive. Developers relying on agricultural land conversion for residential or commercial projects may face longer approval timelines or outright denials. Owners of existing agricultural land could see increased protections or, conversely, pressure to maintain farming status.

• Agriculture & Food Producers: For farmers, ranchers, and food producers, Pahia's run represents a direct opportunity for their interests to be championed at the county level. Key concerns such as water rights, land access, agricultural infrastructure, and farmer support programs may receive elevated priority. Policies aimed at protecting farmland from development, promoting local food systems, and ensuring the viability of agricultural operations are likely to be advocated. This could lead to greater access to resources, more favorable zoning for agricultural activities, and stronger opposition to land use changes that threaten farming. Producers who rely on stable land and resource availability should monitor Pahia's platform and engage with his campaign.

Second-Order Effects

Agricultural land preservation policies → Restricted development opportunities → Increased housing costs → Strain on available labor pool.

If Pahia's candidacy leads to stronger protections for agricultural lands, this directly limits areas available for new housing development. Given Maui's existing housing shortage and high demand, this restriction could further exacerbate affordability issues. As housing becomes scarcer and more expensive, it puts increased pressure on businesses to offer higher wages or benefits to attract and retain workers, particularly those in sectors reliant on lower-wage service roles. This, in turn, can impact business margins and the overall cost of living on the island.

What to Do

This election cycle presents an opportunity for agricultural stakeholders and property owners to influence Maui's future land use and development trajectory. While the election is some time away, candidate positions on these critical issues will solidify.

• Real Estate Owners: Monitor candidate positions, particularly Bobby Pahia's, on agricultural land zoning, development permits, and the Maui Island Plan. Assess how potential policy shifts might impact your land holdings and development pipelines. Engage with candidates to understand their vision for balancing development with agricultural preservation.

• Agriculture & Food Producers: Actively research Bobby Pahia's platform and that of other candidates regarding agricultural support, water rights, and land use. Consider engaging with his campaign to advocate for your specific needs and priorities. Stay informed about community discussions and planning commission meetings where these issues are debated.

Action Details: Watch candidate statements, debate platforms, and public forums related to land use and agricultural policy in Maui County throughout the election cycle. If candidates, particularly Bobby Pahia, articulate specific policy proposals that align with or significantly diverge from your operational interests, consider making campaign contributions, volunteering, or submitting public testimony on relevant planning matters.