Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou. I hope you and your ʻohana enjoyed a meaningful holiday season filled with rest, reflection, and time together. I was grateful for the opportunity to spend time with my own family, grounding myself in the values that guide me – aloha ʻāina, kuleana, and a deep commitment to the future of our lāhui.
As vice chair of the Board of Trustees, this past year reaffirmed an important lesson for me: Vision alone is not enough. It requires steady action, transparency, accountability, and the willingness to make difficult but necessary decisions. As we enter 2026, I want to reflect on what we have accomplished together and share what we will continue to press forward in service of Native Hawaiians.
One of the most significant areas of progress has been strengthening OHA’s financial foundation. Through the hard work of OHA’s real estate and investment team, and the leadership of the Investment and Land Management Committee, the Board has received consistent, regular reporting on OHA legacy lands and investment lands.
This increased clarity has supported better decision-making and long-term planning. By restructuring investments, establishing clearer guidelines for the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund (NHTF), and committing to more strategic approaches, the NHTF has grown to over $662 million as of Oct. 31, 2025. This growth matters because it directly supports OHA’s ability to sustain itself in the future.
Housing remains one of the most urgent challenges facing our lāhui. In February, OHA launched AHO (Access to Home Ownership) a new mortgage program designed to help break down the financial barriers that have kept too many Kānaka Maoli from owning homes in Hawaiʻi. AHO combines OHA support with loan guarantees and partnerships intended to lower down-payment requirements and expand access for first-time Native Hawaiian homebuyers.
This is an important first step; I am committed to exploring expansion of the AHO program and/or the potential introduction of additional down payment assistance options, because homeownership is foundational to economic stability and community resilience.
Land stewardship is an ongoing priority. We are currently in phase two of due diligence for land transfers involving Wailupe, Maunaʻala, Kāneiʻolouma Heiau, and the Nation of Hawaiʻi.
Additionally, we have adopted several new policies to guide OHA’s Real Estate Department into the future, including the Hawaiʻi Real Estate Strategic Plan, the Investment Policy for Legacy Lands, the Management Policy for Legacy Lands, and the Management Policy for Investment Lands. These policies are critical to ensuring our lands are cared for with intention, cultural respect, and long-term benefit to the lāhui.
After years of discussion, OHA has advanced negotiations and due diligence to explore residential and mixed-use possibilities in collaboration with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for Kakaʻako Makai. These efforts focus on responsible stewardship that can generate mission-driven housing, create job opportunities, and produce sustainable revenue to support lāhui programs.
Recent reporting highlights OHA’s continued pursuit of collaborative solutions with state partners to address regulatory and infrastructure challenges that have delayed progress in the past.
Finally, the Board is looking ahead to the OHA Capital Improvement Project Grant Program. This initiative will support critical repairs to community facilities and help acquire or create new spaces where programs and services can be delivered. Strong communities need strong infrastructure, and this program is about meeting those needs where they matter most.
As we move into 2026, my commitment remains clear: steady action rooted in our values, accountability to our beneficiaries, and a relentless focus on building a stronger future for Native Hawaiians. I look forward to continuing this work together.
