A Pivotal Mayoral Contest Emerges on Maui
The 2026 Maui mayoral election has taken a dramatic turn with the announcement of Council Vice Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura's candidacy, setting the stage for a significant political showdown with incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen. Sugimura, a five-term council member, has explicitly stated that her decision to run is a direct response to the recent passage of Bill 9, a controversial ordinance mandating the phase-out of thousands of transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts. Sugimura contends that this legislation will have detrimental effects on Maui's economy, signaling that the upcoming election will be a crucial battleground for the island's economic future and regulatory policies.
The Core of the Contention: Bill 9 and its Economic Echoes
The Vacation Rental Phase-Out and its Ramifications
The passage of Bill 9 by the Maui County Council represents one of the most significant legislative actions in recent memory, directly impacting the island's highly lucrative tourism sector and its persistent housing crisis. The bill aims to convert approximately 7,000 short-term vacation rental units, many previously operating under grandfathered permits, back into long-term residential housing [mauinow.com]. This move is intended to alleviate the severe housing shortage exacerbated by the devastating August 2023 wildfires, which destroyed over 2,200 structures. Proponents argue that prioritizing local housing needs over visitor revenue is essential for the community's long-term well-being and cultural preservation.
Sugimura's Economic Concerns
Council Vice Chair Sugimura, however, has voiced strong opposition, characterizing Bill 9 as an economic threat. "Some people see Maui as a business and some people see Maui as our home," she stated, echoing sentiments from supporters of the bill. Yet, she pivoted to economic anxieties, warning of significant financial fallout. Opponents of the bill, including Sugimura, have cited administration figures projecting substantial annual losses in tax revenue. For instance, the loss of real property tax revenue was estimated to be around $61 million annually, with an additional $15 million from general excise and transient accommodations taxes [mauinow.com]. Sugimura's challenge to Mayor Bissen directly centers on these economic forecasts, positioning herself as a defender of Maui's tourism-dependent economy against what she perceives as harmful regulatory overreach.
Mayor Bissen's Stance and the Housing Crisis
Mayor Bissen, who introduced Bill 9, has championed the legislation as a necessary step to
