Bissen sworn in as Maui County mayor | News, Sports, Jobs

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen is sworn in by former 2nd Circuit Court Chief Judge Joseph Cardoza as wife Isabella Ka‘ihikapulani Bissen looks on Monday evening at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos

When driving on the road these days, Mayor Richard Bissen says he “can’t quite explain why I have the occasional and sudden urge to pull off to the side of the road, stop my vehicle and get out and start waving at cars and people.”

“This sensation usually comes on at about 7 a.m. or 5 p.m. on weekdays,” Bissen said to laughs from the audience at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Monday evening.

After months of sign-waving, campaigning, debates and stump speeches, Bissen was sworn in as Maui County mayor on Monday, first during a ceremony at the county building and later during his public inauguration at the MACC.

He takes office as the eighth mayor since Elmer Cravalho became the first mayor in Maui County’s history in 1969.

Bissen, who began a three-decade career in government as the county’s deputy prosecutor in 1987, retired as 2nd Circuit Court chief judge in December 2021 after nearly 17 years on the bench. In January 2022, he announced his plans to run for mayor, one of eight candidates in a packed primary that included then-incumbent Mayor Michael Victorino and then-Council Members Kelly King and Mike Molina.

Maui County Mayor Rick Bissen receives a standing ovation during Monday’s inauguration ceremony at the Castle Theater.

Victorino and Bissen advanced to the Nov. 8 general election, which Bissen won with 31,381 votes, or 59.7 percent, to Victorino’s 19,724 votes, or 37.6 percent. The two mounted massive campaigning efforts that totaled nearly $1.3 million combined, with Bissen pulling in $723,102.91 and Victorino raising $562,934.16 during the election period, according to campaign spending reports filed Dec. 8.

On Monday evening, Bissen thanked both the former mayor, who was on the Mainland and couldn’t attend the inauguration, as well as his wife, Joycelyn Victorino, who was in attendance.

“I just want to say how gracious he and Mrs. Victorino have been to me and my family during this time with his actions and his words, and again, I extend a mahalo to Mayor Victorino,” Bissen said.

During the campaign, Bissen said he traveled to 11 communities throughout Lanai, Molokai and Maui, listening to the stories and challenges of each neighborhood.

“I felt honored that people shared their stories with me, stories of success, struggles, hope,” he said. “You know, we face challenges and opportunities so important and so complex that it will take a collective willingness and commitment from all of us to work together through them. It will require compromise and mutual respect and servant leadership, striving to carry forward a positive impact for our future generations.”

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke (from left), former Maui County Mayor and Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle and Honolulu County Mayor Rick Blangiardi join in singing “Hawai‘i Aloha” at the conclusion of Monday’s inauguration ceremony at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Also in the photo are former Maui County first lady Joycelyn Victorino and former Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa.

Bissen said that he wanted the public to know two things about his views on fiscal responsibility — first, that he drove a 1994 Ford Bronco, which he bought used, for 26 years, and second, that he bought his first brand-new car when he was 57 years old.

“I share that with you so you know that it’s the same view I hold on how we manage our county finances — sensible and responsible spending to meet the broad needs of our services,” Bissen said.

He also shared his views on being a nonpartisan official in the political arena.

“I don’t think that either major party has all the good ideas or has made all the mistakes. My team and I will focus on what’s best for the people of Maui, Molokai and Lanai,” he said. “Now I feel like it was important to point out, because all too often we become polarized and we lose sight of our purpose in government. We cannot lose that focus even when people do not agree with our decisions.

“We’re fortunate to be trusted enough to be able to serve our people and our community,” he added. “Every situation and every decision is unique, and perfect decisions that meet everyone’s expectations cannot be guaranteed. But we can learn and we can get better.”

Bissen said his administration plans to put “heightened attention” on the issues he’s been discussing on the campaign trail — kamaaina housing, “adequate resources that meet the needs for many, not just some,” protection of the environment, responsible planning and good governance. He also pointed to issues of climate change, food sovereignty and renewable energy, adding that his administration has established a new Office of Innovation “to ensure we are making advances in those critical areas.”

When it comes to tackling issues, Bissen emphasized cooperation and working through differences together.

“You know, we like to talk about having a seat at the table for everyone,” he said. “Oftentimes it may not even be a table at all, but maybe a simple lauhala mat, carried to and rolled out to wherever it needs to be. So I’m committed to bringing that lauhala mat to our communities, to our government partners, to our business sector, our nonprofits, our community leaders and their organizations.

“Together we’ll work hard on the things we can agree on to help our people in any way we can.”

* Colleen Uechi can be reached at cuechi@mauinews.com.

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