Mike Molina, known for his public school teaching and tenure on Maui County Council, announced Tuesday night that he will be giving up his Makawao-Ha’ikū-Pā’ia seat to run for mayor.
The county will hold its bipartisan mayoral election for the top two voters in November, following the August primary, in which all candidates will contest.
Already Mayor Michael Victorino and recently retired 2nd District Judge Richard Bissen said they too will run, and rumors of other mayoral candidates have surfaced.
Molina stressed in an announcement Tuesday night that he has a proven history of accessibility and fairness towards all voters.
“We need leadership that is responsive, accountable, and willing to work toward uniting our community during these trying times,” he said in a press release. “Many of my legislative achievements have been made possible through an open and respectful exchange of ideas with the community.”
Its priorities include housing, public safety, economic diversification, food security, tourism management and environmental protection, the press release added.
Molina, chair of the council’s Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee, said his legislative achievements included the creation of the Affordable Housing Fund, the First-Time Homebuyers Fund, the Outdoor Lighting Act and the Plastic Bag Reduction Act. The Sierra Club recognized him for its plastic bag reduction legislation, the first in Hawaii.
Molina first served on the council from 2001 to 2010. From 2011 to 2017 he was an assistant to former Mayor Alan Arakawa. He was elected to the council in 2018 and easily won re-election in 2020.
In addition to his council function, he currently works as a substitute teacher for the State Department of Education. Molina, who often encourages people to teach, was a DOE instructor from 1987-2000 and received recognition for her teaching from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
He is also a board member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Maui Evangelical Church, and the Kalama School Community Council.
Molina was born on Maui and grew up in Makawao. Molina graduated from Maui High School in 1978. He graduated from the University of Hawaii at Hilo with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and education.
Molina is a military veteran who served in the United States Air Force and the Hawaii Air National Guard. He also has a history of community service, including recognition from the Maui Volunteer Center and the Upcountry Rotary Club.
He has been married to his wife Cielo Batan Molina for 30 years. They have three children: Ian, Aimee and Malia, along with five grandchildren.
For more information visit www.votemikemolina.com or mikemolinamaui.net.
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