Keli’i Akina, candidate for Office of Hawaiian Affairs at-large trustee, emphasizes the importance of addressing pressing problems facing Native Hawaiians, including housing, health care, education, and economic stability. Akina supports a 15-year strategic plan to address these issues comprehensively. He also advocates for economic self-sufficiency and affordable housing for Hawaiians.
Akina believes OHA should be subject to oversight by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission to ensure accountability. He also supports the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea, emphasizing the importance of proper stewardship and collaboration between OHA and the State of Hawaii. He sees the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands playing a significant role in reducing homelessness within the Hawaiian community.
Regarding Hawaiian self-determination, Akina believes Hawaiians have the constitutional right to pursue it and advocates for respectful engagement and diversity of viewpoints. He also highlights OHA’s need to receive its fair share of ceded land revenues and fulfill its mandate to serve the Hawaiian people.
Akina emphasizes the importance of transparency and accessibility in OHA’s operations and advocates for more collaboration between OHA and other organizations, such as the Hawaii Tourism Authority, to manage the tourism industry effectively. Overall, Akina’s focus is on improving the well-being and success of Native Hawaiians across various sectors.
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