HONOLULU (Jan. 9, 2025) – The Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees elected in 2024 were inducted into their terms of office at an investiture ceremony held today at Central Union Church in Honolulu.
The event honored the election of trustee Kaialiʻi Kahele (Hawaiʻi Island) and the reelection of trustees Dan Ahuna (Kauaʻi and Niʻihau), Keliʻi Akina (At-Large), and Luana Alapa (Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi).
With a theme of ʻĀina Aloha” (Our Beloved Land) – the ceremony was attended by members of the Royal Benevolent Societies and aliʻi trusts. Current and former state, county and federal officials joined leaders of the Native Hawaiian community, OHA staff, and beneficiaries who all took part in the event.
OHA Board Chairperson Trustee Kahele offered remarks at the investiture and outlined his priorities.
“The strength of our lāhui lies in our ability to come together. OHA, internally and externally, must be a space where our people feel heard, respected and supported,” Kahele said. “By fostering mutual understanding and collaboration, we can build bridges across differences and create a future rooted in shared purpose and aloha.”
Kahele reiterated his call for OHA to create affordable workforce housing in Kakaʻako Makai and said safeguarding indigenous rights and advancing restorative justice will be key areas of focus for the agency in the coming year.
Each of the 2024 elected trustees was called up by OHA Ka Pouhana/CEO Stacy Ferreira and a lei hulu, feather lei, was placed upon them by their family.
Kahu Ken Makuakāne then gave a blessing and a charge “to serve with pono, with aloha and ʻike kupuna” to mālama the Hawaiian culture, economy, spiritual resources, rights and advance the wellbeing of Native Hawaiians.
The ceremony was livestreamed on OHA’s YouTube and Facebook page and on ʻŌlelo TV and will be rebroadcast on ʻŌlelo Channel 49 throughout the month of January.
1/20 6:00 PM
1/23 2:30 PM
1/28 8:00 AM
1/29 10:30 PM
Additional pics can be viewed here.
