Congratulations to Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Grants Officer ʻĀhia Dye and Strategy & Implementation Senior Director Elena Farden who were named OHA Alakaʻi Award recipients for the first quarter of 2026.
OHA’s Alakaʻi Awards recognition program was established in 2025. Each quarter, two Alakaʻi Awards are presented to OHA staff who embody the organization’s values through their actions, leadership and decision-making; staff members who consistently demonstrate a willingness and commitment to exceed the expectations of their colleagues and supervisors.
There are awards for both supervisory and non-supervisory staff members. Awardees are nominated by their peers and selected by the Board of Trustees.
At an awards ceremony at Nā Lama Kukui on July 6, Dye and Farden were presented with lei, accolades, and certificates of achievement by OHA’s Board of Trustees.
Sharing some of the manaʻo included in Dye’s nomination, Trustee Keliʻi Akina read, “ʻĀhia leads with humility, grace, and genuine servant leadership. She supports others in quiet but meaningful ways. She is deeply trusted by those around her because she shows up with consistency, kindness, and a sincere desire to help.
“ʻĀhia inspires through her cultural knowledge, lived experience, and the way she uplifts people simply by being present. She creates a supportive environment where people feel respected, valued, and empowered. Her approach reminds us that leadership is not always about being the loudest voice in the room. Sometimes, it is about making space for others, building pilina, and helping people feel like they belong.”
One colleague wrote (in part) that “When I was new, ʻĀhia took the time to share information, answer questions, and help me feel more confident in my role. But beyond that, she made a conscious effort to build connection. She invited us to sit together during lunch, helping create a sense of ʻohana, belonging, and community from the very beginning.”
Farden’s award was presented by Chair-emerita Trustee Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey. Sharing the following manaʻo from Farden’s nomination Lindsey read, “Elena is the kind of leader who inspires not through ego or attention, but through quiet strength, deep care, and consistent example. She leads with aloha in everything she does. She is thoughtful, prepared, compassionate, and shows up for her team with grace, steadiness, and intention.
“As a leader, she offers thoughtful and helpful feedback, is always open to talking through strategy, and creates space for conversations during difficult work and life situations. Time and again, people walk away from conversations with Elena feeling better, clearer, and more grounded.”
“Elena leads by quiet example. She is often the first to volunteer help, even when the task falls outside her direct kuleana. She is truly a wahine koa: strong, compassionate, courageous, and deeply committed to doing what is right. What makes Elena especially remarkable is that she does so much without seeking recognition. She is humble, brilliant, hardworking, and deeply committed to the people and mission of OHA.”
E hoʻomaikaʻi and mahalo nui to ʻĀhia Dye and Elena Farden, two of OHA’s shining stars!
 Grants Officer ʻĀhia Dye and Strategy & Implementation Senior Director Elena Farden who were named OHA Alakaʻi Award recipients for the first quarter of 2026.){kind=link}