Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen (right) will appoint Kauanoe Batangan to fill an open seat on Maui County Council. Photo courtesy Maui County

Mayor Richard Bissen announced Tuesday that he will appoint Kauanoe Batangan to fill the open seat on the Maui County Council.

Batangan will assume the council seat representing the Kahului area on Jan. 1, following a transitional period over the holidays.

The mayor’s appointment comes after council members deadlocked on the decision and fulfills one of the last wishes of Council Member Tasha Kama, whose death on Oct. 26 created the vacancy. Prior to her death, Kama had expressed her wish that Batangan fill the seat for the remainder of her term, which runs through 2027.

“It was important to select someone who reflects the voters’ choice and honor their intent for this term,” Bissen said in a statement. “Kauanoe Batangan’s legislative experience, professional background and education position him well to serve the community through the rest of the council session.”

“I am humbled and grateful to be appointed to the Maui County Council. I deeply appreciate the support of Mayor Bissen and Council Member Kama for trusting me to serve the people of Maui County for the rest of this term,” Batangan said. “I come to this role with an unwavering commitment to listen to our community, work collaboratively, and prioritize the well-being of our ʻāina and kamaʻāina. I look forward to working diligently with my colleagues on the tough issues in front of the Council and to carry out the vision that voters supported by electing the late council member.”

Batangan currently serves as executive director of the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization, a public agency that conducts transportation planning and coordinates federal highway and transit investments on Maui. Previously, he was deputy director of the Maui County Department of Transportation. In the aftermath of the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires, he served as a manager in the Maui County Office of Recovery.

Bissen said he interviewed multiple candidates leading up to the decision, noting that all were qualified and willing to serve.

“Each demonstrated admirable qualities and a genuine dedication to serving their community,” Bissen added.

According to the mayor’s office, Batangan is an aliʻi in the Royal Order of Kamehameha I and founder of the Daniel K. Akaka Congressional Fellowship. He has served on a range of boards and commissions, including Common Cause Hawaiʻi, the Maui County Charter Commission and the Maui Historical Society.

A Maui native, Batangan holds master’s degrees in public administration from Columbia University and public policy from the University of Tokyo. He graduated from Kamehameha Schools Maui in 2008 and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University. Batangan lives in Kahului with his wife and two young children.