HONOLULU — The Office of Hawaiian Affairs honored its newly-elected trustees Tuesday, officially adding Dan Ahuna of Kaua‘i and four incumbents during an investiture ceremony Tuesday in Honolulu. The event was attended by approximately 500 people at Central Union Church,
HONOLULU — The Office of Hawaiian Affairs honored its newly-elected trustees Tuesday, officially adding Dan Ahuna of Kaua‘i and four incumbents during an investiture ceremony Tuesday in Honolulu.
The event was attended by approximately 500 people at Central Union Church, according to a press release.
Ahuna, who represents Kaua’i on the nine-member policy-making board, took his oath of office for a four-year term along with returning members.
They include Chairperson Colette Machado, who ran unopposed in the November general election for her seat to represent Moloka‘i; at-large Trustee Haunani Apolonia, who was re-elected to a seat she has held since 1996; Robert Lindsey Jr., who won re-election to continue representing Hawai’i; and Carmen Hulu Lindsey, who was elected to continue representing Maui, the release states.
Their swearing-in ceremony was presided over by Associate Judge Lisa Ginoza. The ceremony was followed by an investiture event at attended by Gov. Neil Abercrombie and keynote speaker C. Nainoa Thompson, president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
In congratulating the five trustees who are beginning new four-year terms, OHA Chief Executive Officer Kamana’o Crabbe highlighted the trustees’ expertise in such areas as land use, education and social work.
“I look forward to continue developing an effective working relationship with the OHA Board of Trustees,” Crabbe says in the release.
“The knowledge and experiences of the trustees who are beginning new terms will be helpful to OHA’s efforts to contribute to the state’s vision for Kaka‘ako as well as overall policy-making decisions that empower Hawaiians and strengthen Hawai‘i.”
