OHA announces three finalists for Administrator/CEO position

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs today announced three finalists for the position of Administrator/Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant milestone in the search for the organization’s next executive leader.

“Selecting OHA’s next Administrator is one of the most consequential decisions this Board will make, and we have approached this process with the seriousness and diligence it deserves,” said OHA Board Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele. “Each of these finalists brings substantial leadership experience and a demonstrated record of service. Just as importantly, we want our beneficiaries and communities to have an opportunity to learn more about the finalists, hear directly from them and participate in this important process.”

The three finalists are Todd Apo, Kaulana Park and Summer Sylva.

Todd Kala Apo

Apo brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, government, real estate and resort development, corporate public affairs, and law.

Most recently, he served as CEO of ʻIole, a nonprofit stewarding 2,400 acres in North Kohala. His executive experience also includes senior leadership roles with the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, Howard Hughes Corporation, The Walt Disney Company and The Resort Group at Ko Olina.

Apo served on the Honolulu City Council from 2005 to 2010, including as Council Chair, Vice Chair and Budget Committee Chair. His career encompasses strategic planning, fiscal oversight, land and asset management, government relations, affordable housing, sustainability, community engagement and organizational development.

Kaulana H. R. Park

Park brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in Native Hawaiian trust administration, land development and construction, banking, community development and public service. He currently serves as Vice President of Laulima Hawaiʻi, helping lead a more than 500 acre master-planned community in Kapolei, with responsibilities including planning, financing, budgeting, contracts, risk management and project delivery.

Park previously served as Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission after more than six years as Deputy Director. Earlier in his career at OHA, he managed the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund, helped establish OHA’s Evaluation & Research function and contributed to organizational strategic planning.

Summer Lee Haunani Sylva

Sylva brings more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning Native Hawaiian advocacy, law, public policy, government, nonprofit management and OHA. Since September 2025, she has served as OHA’s Interim Administrator and CEO, overseeing more than 130 employees, statewide operations, major organizational initiatives and annual budgets of approximately $70 million to $80 million.

Sylva previously served as Chief of Staff to the OHA Board of Trustees, Senior Advisor for Native Hawaiian Affairs at the US Department of the Interior, a senior FEMA advisor during the Maui wildfire response, and Executive Director of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. Her experience includes organizational leadership, Native Hawaiian policy and advocacy, crisis management, legal affairs, governance and public administration.

Community Engagement and Next Steps

OHA has developed a dedicated Administrator/CEO Finalists webpage where beneficiaries and members of the public will be able to view photographs, biographies and additional information about each finalist.

Visit www.oha.org/oha-ceo-candidate-finalists to learn more about each of the candidates.

Additionally, OHA beneficiaries and others will be able to share their thoughts and opinions about the candidates by completing an online form at www.surveymonkey.com/r/OHACEOFinalistPublicFeedback

As the selection process moves forward, OHA will also provide for beneficiaries and community members an opportunity to engage with and hear directly from the finalists through a “talk story” session on Thursday, Oct. 15.

The three finalists will appear at OHA headquarters in the Nā Lama Kukui building at 560 North Nimitz Highway. A moderator will facilitate a discussion between beneficiaries and audience members with the finalists. The “talk story” event is scheduled to run from 4:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. outside Suite 200 and will be livestreamed on the OHA YouTube channel.

The OHA Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet in committee on Wednesday, October 21 to consider the candidates and complete the final phase of the selection process. Full Board approval is expected at its regularly scheduled meeting the following day, Thursday, Oct. 22.

“We recognize the tremendous interest our beneficiaries, employees and communities have in who will lead OHA into its next chapter,” Kahele said. “This process should provide opportunities not only for the Board to hear from the finalists, but for our lāhui to hear from them as well. We look forward to a meaningful exchange of manaʻo as we move toward the Board’s final decision.”

The OHA Administrator/CEO is responsible for leading the agency’s day-to-day operations and carrying out the policies and strategic direction established by the nine-member OHA Board of Trustees. The Administrator/CEO oversees more than 130 employees, statewide programs and operations, significant land and financial assets, and initiatives designed to improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians.