Maui County Councilmember Tasha Kama, who was first elected to the County Council in 2018, died Sunday night surrounded by loved ones. Courtesy photo

Local and state officials and members of the community are grieving the death of Maui County Councilmember Natalie “Tasha” Kama, who passed away Sunday night surrounded by loved ones. She was 73 years old.

“She was a woman of deep faith, compassion and aloha — a leader whose every action reflected her love for our people and her commitment to service,” Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said in a statement.

“Tasha led with humility and strength, always guided by her belief in doing what was just and right for our community,” Bissen said. “Her wisdom, warmth and unwavering faith touched countless lives and will continue to guide us long after her passing.”

The mayor has ordered that flags at the county building in Wailuku be lowered this week in Kama’s honor.

For more than four decades, Kama worked to advocate for others, build bridges in the community, advance social justice and expand opportunities for working families, according to the county. She was also known as a staunch advocate for Hawaiian Home Land beneficiaries and the broader Native Hawaiian community.

Kama was born on Oahu and moved to Maui in 1983. She graduated from the University of Hawaii Maui College, where served as student body president. She was also a parent member and lifelong contributor to the Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, established in 1987.

At the Christian Ministry Church, Kama served as the senior pastor and was known to many as “Kahu Kama,” as she led the church with humility and inspired the congregation through her leadership and spirit.

Before being elected to the council, she also served as president and chief executive of the state Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, president of the Keokea Hawaiian Homes Farmers Association and as a parent member of the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities advocating for inclusion and dignity for children and adults with special needs.

Most recently, she served as vice-chair for the National Association of Native County Leaders and Allies, where she helped elevate indigenous leadership on a national platform.

Kama made a splash when she was first elected to Maui County Council in 2018 with 56.4% of the vote for the Kahului seat, defeating former Mayor Alan Arakawa. She won re-election in 2020, 2022 and 2024 with her current term running through 2026.

Throughout her tenure on County County, Kama was committed to addressing the county’s housing and economic challenges. She was chair of the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee, which began hearings on Bill 9, a proposal from Mayor Bissen to rollback thousands of short-term rentals into long-term housing.

According to the county, Kama often spoke how seeing local families separated by the high cost of living and the outmigration of young people forced to seek opportunities elsewhere broke her heart.

On Monday, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green also released a statement saying he and his wife, Jaime, were saddened by the councilmember’s passing.

“Tasha devoted her life to public service, championing affordable housing, uplifting kupuna and families in need — and guiding Maui County with faith, kindness and aloha,” Green said. “Her legacy of service will continue to guide us as we work together to move Maui and the state forward in her honor.”

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, Maui Chief of Police John Pelletier and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke also applauded Kama for her work in the community.

“She was kind and generous, but not afraid to take on some of the county’s most pressing challenges, including housing and Native Hawaiian health care,” Schatz said. “Maui, and especially central Maui, are better off today because of her tireless advocacy and hard work.”

“Councilmember Kama was a true advocate for our community,” Pelletier added. “She stood firmly in support of the men and women of the Maui Police Department and deeply believed in collaboration, compassion and accountability. Her leadership and aloha will continue to inspire us.”

According to the county, Kama’s final request to Maui County Council was that Kauanoe Batangan be considered to continue her work.

The county also said that before her passing, Kama expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reflected on her lifelong calling to faith and public service.

“My father taught me that a life of service is an act of worship. It has been my deepest honor to live that lesson through this Council,” she said. “As I prepare to return home to our Lord, I do so with gratitude, peace, and unwavering faith in God’s goodness.”

Plans to honor Councilmember Kama’s life and contributions will be announced in the coming days.

“Tasha wasn’t just my colleague — she was my best friend,” Maui County Council Vice-Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura said. “We sat next to each other in the Council Chamber, and we often carpooled to community events together. In all those hours we shared, I saw her heart — her deep love for her family, her faith, and her unwavering dedication to the people of Maui County.

Sugimura said Kama was humble, kind, and selfless — always putting others first.

“She gave everything she had to make life better for our community,” Sugimura said. “I will miss her laughter, her wisdom, and her steady presence beside me. Maui County has lost one of its brightest lights. My deepest aloha and prayers go out to Tasha’s ‘ohana and all who loved her.”