Os Stender: 'OHA Leadership Not up to the Task'

SA: ...Lindsey said Oswald Stender was irresponsible and unfair when he told Hawaii News Now on Monday that OHA is not working for its beneficiaries as it should and that the fault lies with its leadership.

The former Kamehameha Schools trustee and retiring 14-year OHA trustee added that the current board is incapable of fixing the problem....

While there was no controversy over Lindsey's selection Tuesday, there was a bit of a dustup when it came to the 5-4 vote that installed Lindsey's slate of committee leadership positions.

Rowena Akana will lead the Committee on Asset and Resource Management, along with committee Vice Chairman John Waihee IV. Waihee will also lead the Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment with Vice Chairman Peter Apo. Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey will continue to head the Committee on Land and Property, with Ahuna as vice chairman.

Machado expressed disappointment that she and others who didn't get a leadership role were frozen out. She and trustee Haunani Apoliona objected to Akana's chairmanship, citing her litigation against the board alleging open-meeting and public records violations....

HNN: Watch Video Here "Stender singled out selection of 'wild person' Rowena Akana 'she doesn't tell the truth'....  Restoring the Kingdom doesn't do it for me or many other Hawaiians."

  *   *   *   *   *

OHA trustees select new chairman and leaders of their Board's sub-committees

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees elected new leadership on Dec. 9, 2014. (L-R front row): New Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Lindsey, Trustee Colette Machado, Trustee Haunani Apoliona, Trustee Peter Apo, Trustee Hulu Lindsey, and Trustee Rowena Akana. (L-R back row): Ka Pouhana Kamanaʻopono Crabbe, Trustee John Waiheʻe IV, Pou Nui Kāwika Burgess, Trustee Lei Ahu Isa and newly elected Board of Trustees Vice Chair Dan Ahuna.

News Release from OHA

HONOLULU (Dec. 9, 2014) – Hawai‘i Island Trustee Robert K. Lindsey Jr. has been named the new chairman of the policy-making board for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Lindsey succeeds Colette Machado, the trustee for Native Hawaiians on Moloka‘i and Lana‘i who has led OHA's Board of Trustees the past four years.

"I welcome this new opportunity to play a more significant role in helping to push for the best results for our beneficiaries as well as to ensure that our organization is being responsive to their needs," said Lindsey, who has been a trustee since April 2007.

Lindsey's appointment came during a reorganization meeting, where OHA's Board of Trustees also selected a vice chairman and leaders for its three subcommittees.

Dan Ahuna, the trustee for Native Hawaiians on Kaua'i and Ni'ihau, is the board's new vice chairman, replacing Oswald Stender, who retired in November.

As for the three subcommittee leaders, they have all been re-elected to four-year terms, taking their oath of office just prior to being selected to be the chairperson for their respective subcommittees.

Trustee Rowena Akana has been selected to lead the Committee on Asset and Resource Management; her vice chairman will be Trustee John Waihe‘e IV.

Waihe‘e will also lead the Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment; his vice chairman will Trustee Peter Apo.

In addition, Trustee Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey will continue to lead the Committee on Land and Property; her vice chairman will be Ahuna.

---30---

BACKGROUND: Galuteria Pushed Kakaako Makai Bill While on Payroll of OHA Trustee Robert Lindsey