The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has selected Leslie P. Chinn as its new Director of Human Resources, bringing to the organization nearly two decades of experience in employment law, employee and labor relations, human resources administration, and public-sector leadership.
Chinn joins OHA from the City and County of Honolulu, where she served in senior human resources leadership roles and advised on a broad range of employment, labor, and compliance matters.
Her professional background also includes service with the City and County’s Department of Corporation Counsel and the University of Hawaiʻi Office of the General Counsel, where she provided legal guidance on complex personnel, policy, and organizational issues.
“An HR director with deep employment law acumen, extensive HR experience in both private practice and public service, and a demonstrated ability to navigate complex regulatory and compliance environments is a rare asset in any organization,” said Summer Sylva, OHA Interim Chief Administrator.
“At OHA, it is an especially meaningful windfall. Leslie Chinn brings not only the technical grounding and judgment that comes from nearly two decades of legal and human resources leadership, including service in the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Human Resources and Department of Corporation Counsel, as well as the University of Hawaiʻi’s Office of the General Counsel, but also the practical wisdom that comes from advising institutions through some of their most sensitive employment matters.
“Just as importantly, she brings an authentic, grounded presence – marked by aloha, integrity, and a genuine ease with people – that strengthens our ability to recruit, retain, and support high-caliber talent in service of OHA’s mission and aspirations to be an employer of choice in Hawaiʻi’s competitive job market.”
Chinn will lead OHA’s human resources operations, including talent acquisition, employee relations, organizational development, labor relations, compliance, and workforce planning. Her appointment comes as OHA continues to strengthen its organizational capacity and advance efforts to attract, retain, and support a high-performing workforce dedicated to serving Native Hawaiian communities.
“I am honored to join the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and contribute to its important mission on behalf of Native Hawaiians and the people of Hawaiʻi,” said Chinn. “OHA’s employees are among its greatest strengths, and I look forward to partnering with leadership and staff to build upon the organization’s strong foundation. Together, we can continue creating a workplace where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to do their best work in service of our beneficiaries and communities.”
Sylva noted that Chinn’s appointment reflects OHA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening organizational capabilities and fostering a workplace culture that attracts and retains talented professionals.
 has selected Leslie P. Chinn as its new Director of Human Resources, bringing to the organization nearly two decades of experience in employment law, employee and labor relations, human resources administration, and public-sector leadership.){kind=link}