Mayor Richard Bissen has appointed Kauanoe Batangan as the new Kahului member of the Maui County Council, filling the seat left vacant by the late Councilmember Natalie "Tasha" Kama, who passed away in October. Batangan will begin her tenure on January 1, 2026. According to the County of Maui, Mayor Bissen said, "It was important to select someone who reflects the voter’s choice and honor their intent for this term."
Batangan, with legislative experience and a strong professional background, is expected to actively engage in the community. After weeks of interviews with several candidates, Mayor Bissen expressed confidence in his choice. "All of the candidates were qualified and willing to serve in this role, and I am deeply appreciative of their willingness to take on this incredible responsibility,” he told the County of Maui. The appointment aims to continue the legacy of the late Councilmember Kama.
Kauanoe Batangan comes to this position with a resume steeped in local efforts and initiatives. Currently serving as Maui MPO's Executive Director, he has a history of diving deeply to understand issues facing the Maui community, particularly in his role after the 2023 Maui wildfires. Batangan's appreciation for his new role is clear. "I am humbled and grateful to be appointed to the Maui County Council.“ "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," he said in a statement obtained by Maui County.
His appointment also carries forward cultural significance, with Batangan's role as an aliʻi in the Royal Order of Kamehameha I and founder of the Daniel K. Akaka Congressional Fellowship. These roles speak to a deeper connection with the island's past and a mindful direction for its future. Batangan's academic accolades, including two master’s degrees from top universities, position him to insightfully weigh the complexity of issues facing the residents of Maui. He lives in Kahului, the community he's been called to represent, with his wife and two children, revealing his direct stakes in the very land he's set to govern.
