Aloha mai kākou a Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou. This is an exciting new year for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as we continue to mālama the wellbeing of Native Hawaiians and strengthen connections to our ʻohana, moʻomeheu and ʻāina.
With a renewed focus on advancing economic self- sufficiency, educational opportunities, and the preservation of ʻike kūpuna, OHA is committed to building on past successes while forging innovative pathways for the future. Together, we stand ready to make 2025 meaningful and impactful for our lāhui.
I would like to extend a warm aloha to our newly elected Hawaiʻi Island Trustee and Board Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele. He brings a wealth of experience from serving in the Hawaiʻi State Senate and the U.S. Congress, combined with a deep passion for and dedication to the lāhui.
His leadership philosophy, rooted in aloha, empowerment, responsibility, shared vision, and diverse perspectives will surely guide us toward a brighter future. I look forward to working alongside him and the entire board as we embrace this new chapter of leadership, with a shared commitment to serving our beneficiaries.
I also wish to express my deepest gratitude to Outgoing Chair Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey for her unwavering dedication and remarkable contributions. She championed initiatives that bolstered cultural preservation, especially for Maunakea, and strengthened advocacy efforts for Native Hawaiians. Her institutional knowledge is valued, and we appreciate her service.
I am humbled and honored to serve as the newly elected vice chair of OHA’s Board of Trustees. I approach this role with gratitude and a deep sense of kuleana to our community. I am also privileged to serve as chairperson of the committee on Investment and Land Management (ILM).
As ILM chair, my commitment is to research thoroughly, engage transparently, and make educated recommendations to the board. ILM Vice Chair Trustee John Waiheʻe and I will work together to ensure that our Native Hawaiian Trust Fund (NHTF) and real estate land assets are managed responsibly and strategically to maximize their impact.
The ILM committee is tasked with the stewardship of NHTF’s nearly $600 million portfolio and of OHA’s land assets, with a focus on Kakaʻako Makai, Iwilei, and Nā Lama Kukui, as well as our legacy lands.
My vision, guided by data-driven solutions and collaborative decision-making, is to grow and optimize OHA’s resources to better address the needs of our lāhui. The NHTF sat dormant for several years, but with our newly adopted investment policy statement, we are poised for strong returns in the years ahead as we are now able to make decisions about the portfolio with confidence.
I believe that if we prioritize OHA’s land assets and focus on affordable workforce housing, a Hawaiian Cultural Center, and partnering with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, we can expand OHA’s real estate strategies and enhance the services we provide.
I am inspired by the possibilities this new year brings and the opportunity to work with an exceptional team of leaders dedicated to our shared mission and Mana i Mauli Ola Strategic Plan.
E holo mua kākou me ke aloha a me ka haʻahaʻa – let us move forward together with love and humility.
