Maui County Mayor Richard T. Bissen Jr. Will deliver his 2026 State of the County Address on Thursday, March 5, at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater in Kahului. Doors will open at 4 p.m. For the 5 to 7 p.m. Presentation.
The address will focus on the county’s progress in housing, wildfire recovery, resident well-being and economic stability, according to a statement released by the Mayor’s office. Bissen is expected to outline future actions aimed at strengthening communities and building a more resilient future for Maui County.
Key priorities for the coming year include advancing housing solutions for local families, continuing recovery efforts following the 2023 wildfires, and supporting the well-being of residents through investments in mental health services, programs for families and seniors, and opportunities for youth. Protecting Maui’s cultural and natural resources through sustainable stewardship practices will also be a central theme.
Economic development initiatives will focus on bolstering local businesses, creating workforce pathways, and maintaining a balanced approach to tourism, the county stated. Bissen’s administration has previously emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses through pop-up marketplaces and community retail opportunities.
Richard T. Bissen Jr. Assumed office as the ninth Mayor of Maui County in January 2023, following a career spanning more than three decades of public service. Prior to becoming mayor, he served as the Chief Judge of the Second Circuit Court, a position he held after being nominated by Governor Linda Lingle in 2005 and subsequently renominated by Governor David Ige in 2015, retiring from the judiciary in December 2021. He defeated incumbent Mike Victorino in the 2022 mayoral election.
The 2026 State of the County Address will be broadcast live on AKAKŪ Maui Community Media Channel 53 and livestreamed on the County of Maui Facebook page. A recording of the event will be available on the county’s website, www.mauicounty.gov, its YouTube channel, and on www.Akaku.org.
Admission and parking are free. An RSVP is requested, but not required, for those planning to attend in person. Further information is available by calling the County of Maui Office of the Mayor at (808) 270-7855.
