Political action committees have directed more than $900,000 toward Maui mayoral and council races this election cycle, more than double any other county. The future of short-term vacation rentals has been a defining issue driving the political spending.
- Maui received roughly half of the $1.5 million PACs and super PACs spent on neighbor island county races as of late July.
- Mayoral candidate Yuki Lei Sugimura leads all local candidates in PAC support, receiving nearly $350,000, primarily from labor-tied groups.
- Incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen has received less than $100,000 in PAC and super PAC support by comparison.
- The carpenters union-linked super PAC ‘For A Better Tomorrow’ is the largest single spender, putting $565,522 toward Maui candidates alone.
- Short-term vacation rental policy is cited as the dominant issue shaping the Maui political landscape this election cycle.
Source: Civil Beat
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