Born and raised in Wailuku, Yuki Lei is a product of Maui’s plantation heritage and local values. She is a proud graduate of Baldwin High School and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

For over two decades, she has called Upcountry Maui home, residing in Kula with her husband, Takashi "Tak" Sugimura. Living in a rural agricultural district has shaped her pragmatic approach to governance, grounding her policy decisions in the realities of those who farm the land, commute for work and manage household budgets.

Long before she held elected office, Yuki Lei was already a driving force behind Maui’s local economy and culture. As a small business owner of Connec, LLC, she understood the challenges facing local entrepreneurs. She turned that understanding into action by organizing some of the island’s most beloved events, which served to revitalize historic towns and boost local commerce.

• Revitalizing Wailuku: She was a key organizer for the Wailuku First Friday town parties, an initiative that brought life and business back to Market Street.

• Celebrating Culture: She served as the County Coordinator for the Festivals of Aloha and co-chaired the Maui Matsuri and Maui Chinese New Year’s Festival, ensuring Maui’s diverse cultures were celebrated and preserved.

Yuki Lei’s understanding of government was forged through service to Hawaii’s legendary leaders. She served as a Field Representative for U.S. Senators Daniel Akaka and Mazie Hirono, and worked closely with the office of U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye as the Maui Coordinator for the "Hawaii 3R's" school repair program.

These roles gave her a masterclass in how federal, state, and county governments intersect, teaching her how to cut through red tape to deliver funding and resources to the local level.

First elected to the Maui County Council in 2016 to represent the Upcountry residency area, Yuki Lei quickly earned a reputation as a fiscal conservative and a tireless advocate for infrastructure.

• Fiscal Guardianship: As Chair of the Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee, she oversees the county’s multi-million dollar budget, fighting for transparency and ensuring taxpayer money is focused on core services.

• Infrastructure Focus: Previously serving as Chair of the Infrastructure and Transportation Committee (2021-2023), she championed the "basics" of governance—water, roads, and wastewater—viewing them as the essential foundation for solving the housing crisis.

• Public Safety: She has authored and passed impactful legislation, including the ban on smoking in vehicles with minors present, protecting the health of Maui’s keiki.

Despite her leadership roles, Yuki Lei remains grounded in her community. She is famous for her "Talk Story" sessions at the Upcountry Farmers Market. There, amidst local produce and neighbors, she listens to the concerns of residents, proving week after week that she is a leader who shows up.