HONOLULU (Nov 21, 2024) – The Office of Hawaiian Affairs announced today that attorney Leinaʻala Ley has joined its executive leadership team as chief advocate. She began her new role on Nov. 18.
Ley will lead OHA’s Advocacy Division and supervise mission aligned public policy development, implementation, compliance, monitoring and evaluation as well as OHAʻs current co-trustee role with the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. She will also be responsible for working with OHA’s Director of Community Engagement and leading the agency’s federal, state and county policy efforts.
Ley will support the implementation of OHA’s Mana i Mauli Ola (Strength to Wellbeing) Strategic Plan – which focuses on education, health, housing and economic stability through the plan’s foundations of ʻohana (family), moʻomeheu (culture) and ʻāina (land and water) to meet OHA’s mission to better the conditions of Native Hawaiians.
Ley comes to OHA from Earthjustice, where she has served as a senior associate attorney for the last six years working on Native Hawaiian water rights, endangered species protection, clean energy, and other ‘āina related issues. Ley started her public service litigation career at the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and also worked in private practice for Lung Rose Voss & Waginald on construction and complex commercial disputes.
“It’s an honor to join the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in advancing the wellbeing of our lāhui and ensuring that the State of Hawaiʻi fulfills its constitutional obligations to Native Hawaiians. I look forward to working with the OHA’s board of trustees, OHA administration, and beneficiaries to ensure that Native Hawaiian rights are respected and cultural perspectives integrated into decision-making at all levels of government,” Ley said. “Iʻm enthusiastic about partnering with community groups, businesses, our legislators, and other concerned stakeholders to find solutions to common problems that affect all of us here in Hawaiʻi nei.”
A graduate of Punahou School, Ley carries a B.A. in international relations from Brown University and a J.D. degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.
“Iʻm delighted to welcome Leinaʻala to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Her extensive experience as an attorney and deep commitment to justice make her the ideal leader to advance our efforts in advocating for Native Hawaiian rights and wellbeing,” said OHA Ka Pouhana/CEO Stacy Kealohalani Ferreira. “Leinaʻala brings both the expertise and passion needed to navigate complex legal and policy landscapes, ensuring that our lāhuiʻs voice will be heard and respected at every level.”
“I’m looking forward to advocating alongside our new Chief Advocate Leinaʻala Ley throughout the community and legislatively on the county, state and federal levels of government on behalf of our beloved Hawaiian people with an ongoing focus on the Native Hawaiian Crown and Government Lands of the Hawaiian Kingdom, also known as the “ceded lands” of the Public Land Trust and continue to work on legislation for systemic change to achieve our envisioned outcomes for a thriving ʻŌiwi Hawaiʻi,” said OHA’s Committee Chair of Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment, Trustee Kalei Akaka.
