Molokai Trustee Machado elected new OHA chair

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs moves forward under new leadership. Trustee Collette Machado was elected as the new Chair of the Board, replacing Haunani Apoliona who has been at the helm for nearly 10 years.  Both Machado and Apoliona joined the board as trustees in 1996.

Collette Machado. Photo courtesy OHA.

New Chair, Machado, who represents Moloka‘i and Läna‘i said, “I have full confidence in the reorganized board and we will be playing to the strengths of our members to move OHA forward into a brighter future for all Native Hawaiians.”

Machado previously served as a commissioner on the State Land Use, Hawaiian Home Lands, Moloka‘i Island Burial Council, and the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve commissions.

The reorganization was announced yesterday, the same day Apoliona gave the key note address for the State of OHA and the Hawaiian Community.

Apoliona reflected on the 30 year history of OHA and the opportunities that lay ahead saying, significant progress has been made for beneficiaries, but there remains more to achieve.

“This board leadership transition is something I have planned for and provides a good start as we begin the new decade. OHA must continue to strengthen itself as a “tool” for successful Native Hawaiian self-determination and I look forward to working with Chairperson Machado, our OHA Board and our staff from Hawai‘i to Washington D.C. Mahalo to all for your support,” said Apoliona in a news release.

Apoliona will remain on the board, continuing as a trustee at large in her fourth term.

Other reorganization highlights include the following:

• John Waihe’e IV: Chair, Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment

• Peter Apo: Vice-Chair, Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment

• Oswald Stender: Chair, Asset and Resource Management

• Robert Lindsey: Vice-Chair, Asset and Resource Management

Other board members are Rowena Akana, and Boyd Mossman of Maui.

(Posted by Wendy Osher; Supporting information courtesy OHA)