Maui's top two officials are publicly accusing each other of wrongdoing weeks before a mayoral election, leaving voters with no clear account of what is true.

• Police Chief John Pelletier said Mayor Richard Bissen is the suspect in a felony case; the county prosecutor says that is simply not true.
• Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Martin called the chief's claim a betrayal of public trust and said the mayor was not the target of the case in question.
• Pelletier made the accusation days after being put on paid leave over an FBI case involving one of his former commanders.
• Both men held rival rallies a mile apart in Wailuku, each gathering supporters as the fight turned into a public loyalty test.
• Separate allegations of financial misconduct from January 2025 are with the state attorney general, but it is unclear whether that is the case the chief meant.

Outlook: General election ballots go out soon, and Bissen faces Yuki Tsujimura with the dispute still unresolved.