Office of Hawaiian Affairs Held Candidate Forums

Trustee candidates discussed board priorities and major development projects during recent televised panels in Hawaii.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Remote Work

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Held Candidate Forums

Live Poll

Do you prioritize board unity over individual policy platforms when choosing local representatives?

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has begun a series of candidate forums for upcoming trustee elections. The televised sessions allow candidates to present their priorities and positions to voters.

Why it matters

The forums provide an essential platform for candidates to outline their visions for managing the nearly $1 billion OHA portfolio. These discussions help inform the public on leadership directions for critical island seats.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs manages a portfolio valued at nearly $1 billion. Candidates are currently presenting their platforms for specific trustee seats before the upcoming election.

The players

Office of Hawaiian Affairs

This public agency is responsible for managing a massive trust portfolio dedicated to the betterment of Native Hawaiians.

Kalei Akaka

The incumbent trustee for the Oʻahu island seat has served on the board since being elected in 2018.

Hinaleimoana Wong

A challenger seeking to represent the Oʻahu island seat on the board of trustees.

The details

Candidates for the Oʻahu island seat, including incumbent Kalei Akaka and challenger Hinaleimoana Wong, participated in panel discussions regarding board priorities. The forums also addressed ongoing development projects, including those in the Kakaʻako Makai area.

October 13, 2026: Oʻahu Island Trustee candidate forum
October 14, 2026: Maui Island Trustee candidate forum
October 15, 2026: At-Large Trustee candidate panel
October 17, 2026: Repeat broadcast of At-Large Trustee panel

Market Landscape

The current series of candidate forums follows the established legal framework for electing board members to manage the trust. This process reflects a broader organizational effort to maintain transparency in governance as candidates compete for oversight of the $1 billion portfolio.

All eligible voters across the state can participate in the OHA trustee election. Residents can follow the candidate discussions by tuning into broadcasts on local stations like KHNL, KGMB, and K5.

The takeaway

Voters are encouraged to engage with these forums to understand how candidates plan to balance community development with trust management. Careful review of these platforms helps ensure that future trustees align with the priorities of the broader public.