Anderson, incumbents, rise to top for OHA seats

Ikaika Anderson and John Waihe‘e IV rose to the top for at-large seats on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees.

At stake this year are the seats for Maui, Oahu, and three at-large seats — five out of the nine seats on the OHA Board of Trustees.

Anderson, a former Honolulu City Councilmember, had the largest share of votes at about 18%, followed by Waihe‘e IV, the son of former Hawaii Gov. John Waihe‘e, at about 18% of votes after the first election printout results.

Brickwood Galuteria, a veteran radio and television personality, won about 17% of votes after the first printout.

Other candidates on the ballot this year included incumbent Keoni Souza, an award-winning musician, educator Adrian Keali‘i Akina, and fisherman Kanekoa “Koa” Crabbe.

Incumbent Kalei Akaka, meanwhile, appears to have fended off challenger Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong in the race for OHA’s Oahu seat after the first printout, with about 56% versus 43% of votes.

Akaka, the granddaughter of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, has served on the board since 2018.

Wong, a cultural advisor, educator and filmmaker known to most as Kumu Hina, had won the endorsements of major unions entering the election.

For the Maui seat, incumbent Carmen Hulu Lindsey appeared to be leading against her opponent, Ke‘eaumoku Kapu, with about 54% of votes at first printout.

Lindsey, a well-known recording artist, has served on the board since 2012.

The selection comes at a pivotal time, as OHA grapples with a lawsuit by its former CEO, Stacy Ferreira, which has sowed division within the board, and now, the selection of a new CEO.

The board had previously voted for former Councilmember Todd Apo, but delayed the decision after receiving testimony in opposition to the choice.

OHA Chair Kai Kahele on Monday postponed the decision until after the general election.

Among other issues, OHA is contending with are long-delayed plans for 30 acres in Kakaako Makai, questions over its role in military lease negotiations, and a potential bid to purchase KITV.

OHA, a semi-autonomous state agency created in 1978, manages nearly $1 billion in trust assets with the mission of improving the well-being of Native Hawaiians.

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