Kapu and Lindsey Will Compete for Maui Trustee Seat

Candidates are vying for the Maui seat on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board in the November 2026 election.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Native American

Kapu and Lindsey Will Compete for Maui Trustee Seat

Live Poll

Should local institutional board members be elected by the entire state rather than only local residents?

Keʻeaumoku Kapu and Carmen Hulu Lindsey are set to face off for the Maui trustee position on the nine-member Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees in November 2026. The election will determine leadership for the agency, which manages state payments and cultural initiatives for Native Hawaiians.

Why it matters

The board election is critical for determining the agency's approach to increasing funds and educational opportunities for Native Hawaiians. Trustees play a pivotal role in negotiating annual payments from the state related to the use of former Hawaiian Kingdom lands.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs manages state funding that saw a significant increase in 2022, including a $64 million back-pay distribution. Current campaigns are focused on budgetary management, including oversight of expenditures exceeding $100,000.

The players

Carmen Hulu Lindsey

She is the incumbent trustee who served as the board's chairperson from 2020 to 2024.

Keʻeaumoku Kapu

He is the current chairperson of the Native Hawaiian Preservation Commission.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs

It is a nine-member state board responsible for managing resources and programs for Native Hawaiians.

Na Aikane O Maui

This nonprofit organization reported $11.1 million in revenue for 2024.

The details

The race features a rematch between incumbent Carmen Hulu Lindsey, who has held the seat since 2013, and challenger Keʻeaumoku Kapu, who chairs the Native Hawaiian Preservation Commission. Candidates are highlighting plans to boost community resources, such as the proposed development of a cultural center in Kakaʻako Makai.

2001: Supreme Court struck down limiting OHA votes to Hawaiians.
2013: Carmen Hulu Lindsey appointed to Maui trustee seat.
2018: Lindsey defeated Kapu in the general election.
2020-2024: Lindsey served as board chairperson.
August 8, 2026: Lindsey's campaign reported $4,987 on hand.

Culture Shift

The election process reflects the evolution of OHA from a membership-restricted organization to a state-wide public institution following the 2001 Supreme Court ruling. This shift requires candidates to appeal to a broad base of Hawaiʻi residents rather than a narrow constituency.

The election results will directly influence the allocation of millions in annual state payments and the progress of community projects like the cultural center in Kakaʻako Makai. Residents will see the tangible effects of these policies in their regional educational and cultural programming.

The takeaway

This race highlights the ongoing effort to balance the management of state land-use payments with the cultural needs of the Native Hawaiian community. Voters are focused on selecting leadership that can effectively secure and distribute funding for long-term community benefits.