Yuki Lei Kashiwa Sugimura

2026 Maui Mayor · Sitting Council Vice-Chair, Upcountry — vacating seat · Kula, HI

Background

• Owner of Connec LLC, an event management and consulting business in Kula
• Field Representative for U.S. Senators Daniel Akaka and Mazie Hirono
• Maui Coordinator for the "Hawaii 3R's" school repair program under Senator Inouye's office
• Wailuku Revitalization and Small-Town Coordinator under Mayor James "Kimo" Apana
• Organizer of Wailuku First Friday and community cultural festivals

Maui Roots

• "A daughter of Maui and a proven community builder"
• Born and raised in Wailuku; has lived in Kula with her husband for over two decades
• Plantation heritage roots
• Hosts regular "Talk Story" sessions at the Upcountry Farmers Market

Priorities

• Rebuild public trust with open accountability and transparency in decision-making
• Address the housing crisis through essential infrastructure and planning basics
• Support local business stability and an economy capable of sustaining residents
• Fiscal responsibility and transparent government spending
• Infrastructure: water, roads, and wastewater

Public Service

• Vice-Chair, Maui County Council (current)
• Chair, Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee
• Chair, Infrastructure and Transportation Committee (2021–2023)
• First elected to the Maui County Council in 2016 (Upcountry residency area)
• Consistently among top vote-getters in Maui County Council elections
• Authored smoking ban legislation protecting minors

Education

• Baldwin High School (served as student body president)
• University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa