Age: 43
Job: Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee
Background: Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council member, Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve commissioner
Should OHA be allowed to build residential units in Kakaako Makai?
I think so, as long as it’s done prudently. Even a minimal amount of residential units would go a long way in offsetting some of the lesser income-generating developments and help strengthen the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund. It needs to be viewed in the context of the whole master plan.
Should Native Hawaiians seek federal recognition?
As fiduciaries, the board of trustees must advocate for a resolution that best protects the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund from legal challenges while maintaining our beneficiaries propriety interest in it. Federal recognition would certainly do that. The decision to pursue it, however, will ultimately be the Hawaiian Nation’s.
