Richard Bissen

The 19 lots total nearly 1.5 acres at Maui Lani that the county authorized to give the organization in 2022. They will be used for affordable workforce housing in perpetuity.

With the landmark passage of a state law addressing short-term rentals, Maui County has already announced legislation to phase out vacation rentals in apartment-zoned areas. Mayor Richard Bissen said the county is prepared for legal pushback. If passed, the bill would go into effect in July 2025 for West Maui and in 2026 for the rest of the island. HPR’s Catherine Cluett Pactol explains.

The policy, announced by Mayor Richard Bissen and grassroots advocacy group Lahaina Strong, is intended to free up housing for displaced families devastated by the August wildfires. The county will have the authority to enact this policy due to the state Legislature's final approval of Senate Bill 2919.

Speaking to The Conversation, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen shared his reaction to Green's decision about short-term rental moratoriums and reflected on his State of the County address on March 15, in which he outlined a path forward for a "heartbroken" community.

His proposed budget is $153 million more than last year’s operating budget, mostly due to wildfire-related departmental spending. The Maui County Council will now review and approve Bissen’s budget.

Each Hawaiʻi mayor gives an annual State of the County address in March. Housing, infrastructure, jobs, education and tourism consistently remain top of mind for the local leaders. HPR reporters have been tuning into this year's speeches on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island to learn the latest.

The last year in Maui County marked the deadliest fire in modern U.S. history, and Mayor Richard Bissen described the state of the county as "heartbroken" in his annual address. HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol reports from Maui Nui.

To mark six months since the Aug. 8 wildfires destroyed more than 2,000 structures and killed 100 people, The Conversation sat down with Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen earlier this week to talk about the work ahead. Bissen said his top concern for West Maui is mental health — with a lot of that linked to uncertainty and anxiety over housing.

The Conversation is broadcasting live from Lahaina, Maui today as residents mark six months since the wildfires destroyed more than 2,000 structures and killed 100 people on Aug. 8.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen says a site selected to hold debris from last year's wildfires that devastated Lahaina will not permanently store it. Instead, the debris will be at the Olowalu site south of Lahaina only until a permanent spot is identified and a landfill built there. Bissen says the site is necessary so the debris can be removed from Lahaina and residents can return.