| Primary Election ballots have arrived in mailboxes across Maui County. Election Day is Saturday, August 8, 2026, and completed ballots must be received, not merely postmarked, by 7:00 p.m. Voting thoughtfully takes time. Before the deadline approaches, we encourage you to make a simple voting plan. If you can, submit your ballot sooner rather than later; this will give you adequate time to respond if the County Clerk informs you that there is a signature verification issue. Remember: Every voter can vote in every County Council race, so be sure to mark a choice in each one. Blank votes can affect the outcome of a close race. Also, you must sign your ballot return envelope. If you do not sign it, your ballot will not be counted. 1. Choose a time to review your ballot Set aside a specific time when you can sit down without feeling rushed. Add it to your calendar, gather your ballot and voter resources, and give yourself enough time to research each race. My ballot-research time: _________________________ 2. Learn about the candidates No single voter guide tells the whole story. Compare several sources, consider candidates’ experience and positions, and pay attention to whether they have answered questions directly. Resources that can help include: Hawaiʻi Office of Elections Digital Voter Guide: Official candidate statements, voting information, and ballot instructions. The Office of Elections website also provides voter-registration, ballot-tracking, and voting-location information. Honolulu Civil Beat 2026 Elections Guide: Candidate questionnaires, election reporting, campaign and finance coverage, election resources, and an interactive primary-ballot guide. Akakū Maui Community Media: “Meet the Candidates” interviews, candidate forums, and recorded community events. Kīhei Community Association: Maui Mayoral and County Council candidate forums. Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Ka Wai Ola: Information about OHA, the responsibilities of its elected trustees, and the 2026 Ka Wai Ola OHA Candidate Survey. Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Election reporting and candidate coverage. Candidate websites: Review each candidate’s stated values, priorities, experience, endorsements, and answers to community questionnaires. When using campaign websites, remember that they are created by the candidates themselves. Consider them alongside independent reporting, public forums, voting records, financial disclosures, and official voter information. 3. Decide how you will return your ballot Do not wait until the last minute! Choose your method now: ☐ Mail my ballot early ☐ Use a Maui County ballot drop box ☐ Vote in person at a voter service center; these also offer same-day voter registration Remember to read the instructions carefully and sign your ballot return envelope. Also, you must select one political preference on your ballot and vote only within that selection for partisan offices. You can also enroll in the state’s free ballot-notification service, BallotTrax, to receive updates when your ballot is mailed and when your completed ballot is accepted for counting. Maui County ballot drop boxes. Ballot drop boxes are available during facility or park hours through 7:00 p.m. on August 8th at the following locations: Central Maui: • County of Maui Kahului Service Center, 110 Alaihi Street, KahuluiKahului Fire Station, 200 Dairy Road, Kahului • University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, 310 W. Kaʻahumanu Avenue, Kahului—near the • • • • Maui Swap Meet entrance from Wahine Piʻo AvenueKalana O Maui County Building, 200 S. High Street, Wailuku • Velma McWayne Santos Community Center, 395 Waena Street, Wailuku South Maui: • Kīhei Community Center, 303 E. Līpoa Street, KīheiWailea Fire Station, 300 Kilohana Drive, Kīhei Upcountry and North Shore • Haʻikū Community Center, Hāna Highway at Pilialoha Street, Haʻikū • Hannibal Tavares Community Center, 91 Pukalani Street, Pukalani Kula Fire Station, 50 Calasa Road, Kula • Makawao Fire Station, 134 Makawao Avenue, Makawao • Pāʻia Community Center, 252 Hāna Highway, Pāʻia West Maui • Lahaina Civic Center, 1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway, Lahaina • Nāpili Fire Station, 4950 Hanawai Street, Lahaina East Maui • Hāna Fire Station, 4655 Hāna Highway, Hāna • A temporary ballot collection location will also operate at Hāna High and Elementary School, 4111 Hāna Highway, on Saturday, August 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In-person voter service centers. Voter service centers provide accessible in-person voting, same-day voter registration, replacement ballots, and ballot collection. Wailuku: • Velma McWayne Santos Community Center, July 27–August 7, Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; August 8, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Lahaina: • Lahaina Civic Center, August 5–7, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; August 8, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.Hāna: Hāna High and Elementary School, August 1 only, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. *Confirm locations and operating hours through the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections before traveling. 4. Invite someone else to make a plan! After completing your plan, check in with a friend, neighbor, coworker, or family member. Ask whether they received their ballot and when they plan to vote. A simple reminder can make a meaningful difference! Maui Tomorrow does not endorse candidates. We encourage every eligible voter to learn about the candidates, consider the issues affecting Maui Nui, and participate in shaping our shared future.Your ballot is your opportunity to help decide who will make important choices about Maui County’s land, water, housing, infrastructure, public resources, and quality of life. Make your plan. Do your research. Vote! Your ballot must be received by 7:00 p.m. on August 8th |

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