Mayor· 2023-01-02 - 2027-01-01
Richard T. Bissen Jr.
Maui County
About
Richard T. Bissen Jr.'s campaign platform centers primarily on addressing Maui County's housing needs as a top priority for his administration and re-election bid. His platform focuses on ongoing local governance and community development issues as he seeks a second term as mayor.
Campaign promises (1)
- developmentMayor Richard T. Bissen Jr. has prioritized housing as the top priority for Maui County during his administration.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 1
- Total speaking time
- 10:00
- Avg per meeting
- 10:00
- Segments
- 72
Want every word Bissen has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Bissen said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
South Maui Community Plan update (Bill 108)
Testifiers said the plan's projects and actions carry no visible cost or funding plan — potentially hundreds of millions in taxpayer-funded infrastructure.
Gulch and drainage-way protection policies
Could affect the viability of drainage master plan projects in Kīhei.
Wastewater disinfection concerns at Wailuku-Kahului facility
UV upgrades would require new funding; the chair invited the department to bring cost requests to the council.
Protection of Wahi Kupuna and cultural resources
Funding status for the monument was discussed; no county commitment was made at this meeting.
Emergency evacuation routes for South Maui
Building a North Kīhei bypass or opening ranch-road access would require major county infrastructure spending not yet funded.
North-South Collector Road and eminent domain
First phase estimated at $72-75 million and expected to rise; current funding is only about half of what's needed to reach Kaonoulu.
$1.6B CDBG-DR wildfire recovery fund status
Groups requested $500,000 in county funding, with household gaps of up to $500,000 each.
Kula (Waiakoa) gym damage and possible total loss
Potential full facility replacement if deemed a total loss; FEMA eligibility pursued through reclassification.
Upcountry water meter list and supply
Desalination plants are expensive to build and operate, with costs likely passed to ratepayers.
Māʻalaea Triangle zoning cleanup
The two main property owners are splitting the cost of the rezoning effort.
North Kihei Road Relocation and Shoreline Management
$500,000 estimated for the management plan, with county, state and federal funding.
Infrastructure Priority for 100% Affordable and Workforce Housing
Requirements add costs to housing projects, which Chair Lee warns could make homes less affordable.
Sea level rise and shoreline management retreat
Proposed conditions could require owners to fund shoreline surveys, document and bond structures, and eventually remove improvements encroaching on public trust lands.
Structural reform of county boards and commissions
Most boards cost little directly, but thin staffing and IT problems have already caused cancelled meetings and duplicated support structures.
Adopt-A-Street litter and stormwater program
Operating within existing public works resources; no new funding was requested.
Hotel rezoning of apartment-district TVR properties (Bill 9 exemptions)
Owners testified buildings like Hale Kai O Kīhei are underinsured by at least $5 million with flood insurance costing roughly $10,000 per unit per year, while critics say hotel zoning locks in visitor revenue instead of housing.
County acquisition of Launiupoko and Olowalu water systems
Up to $6 million for the purchase, plus roughly $1.55 million in post-closing transition and improvement costs, offset by projected annual revenues of about $3.3 million against $1.55 million in operating costs.
Council vacancy Charter amendment
A special election could cost roughly $600,000 to $700,000 per occurrence.
Climate action revolving fund
Roughly $14 million per year of TAT revenue would be set aside under the 20% proposal.
Sister-city relationship with Laoag, Philippines
The Sister Cities Foundation has received around $14,000 in county budget support historically, and any seed money for new exchanges would come up in the next budget cycle.
Decisions during term (435)
Recorded while Jr. was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.