On December 4, 2024, I was entrusted by my colleagues to lead the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) as its chairperson. Two days later, I shared my philosophy and vision with our staff, a vision grounded in kūkulu hou – rebuilding with purpose and clarity.
This guiding principle called us to transform OHA into an organization that was bold, responsive, and deeply rooted in the values of our lāhui. The foundation of this transformation rested on several commitments:
- Fostering a collaborative and team-minded leadership culture: creating a workplace where every voice is valued, from our employees to our community partners.
- Interdependence and Cooperation: recognizing that our strength lay in working together.
- Purpose Driven Action: cultivating a bias for action so that OHA is not just reactive, but proactive.
- Adaptive Leadership and Continuous Learning: ensuring we remain flexible and open to growth.
- Measurable Progress and Data Driven Strategy: holding ourselves accountable to results that truly impact our people.
And this year, OHA achieved significant milestones that reflected this vision. Our newly adopted biennium budget represented the largest investment in the Native Hawaiian community in decades. It shifted resources directly into the hands of our people, supporting Hawaiian focused charter schools, the University of Hawaiʻi, and stewardship of our ʻāina. It reduced bureaucracy, streamlined reporting, and centered community impact. Importantly, it safeguarded programs threatened by federal cuts, created pathways for future leaders in civics and public service, and introduced a groundbreaking 12-week fully paid family leave benefit for our employees – the first of its kind in Hawaiʻi state government.
We also modernized OHA’s internal governance documents, including new bylaws, an executive policy manual, and an updated employee handbook, ensuring clarity and accountability across the organization.
In terms of community presence, OHA actively participated at the Hawaiian Council Convention in Tulalip and at the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Convention in Keauhou, Kona, strengthening ties across our lāhui.
This year, OHA announced the 2026 return of the ʻAha ʻŌpio youth civic educational program and launched the Nā ʻElele o Kahikina Congressional Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C., cultivating the next generation of Native Hawaiian public servants and policy leaders.
In October, OHA allocated $6.1 million in emergency relief to support Native Hawaiian SNAP recipients and federal employees affected by the government shutdown, and last month we took a major role in addressing the issue of military leased lands, launching a comprehensive statewide public educational campaign and webpage.
As we move into 2026, OHA will continue to build upon the foundation laid this past year. We will strengthen our programs, deepen our partnerships, and remain steadfast in our mission to uplift the wellbeing of Native Hawaiians. We will continue to rebuild with vision and purpose, honoring our kūpuna, empowering our people, and inspiring future generations.
Mahalo nui to our beneficiaries, partners, and staff for walking this journey with us. Change is never easy, but together we have shown what is possible when we act with unity and determination. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs stands as a steward of our culture, heritage, and shared future. Guided by the wisdom of our ancestors, we are prepared to embrace the challenges ahead with aloha, humility, and unwavering resolve.
I invite each of you to join us in this collective effort, bringing your energy, ideas, passion, and aloha to help fulfill the promise of OHA’s mission: To better the conditions of Native Hawaiians and to ensure a thriving lāhui for generations to come.
Hauʻoli ka manaʻo.
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