Luana Alapa, a current trustee on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board, is facing a challenger, Kunani Nihipali, in the upcoming election. The top vote-getter will represent Moloka‘i and Lānaʻi and sit on the nine-member board. Both candidates agree that OHA needs more funding from its ceded land revenues, but they differ on the issue of building the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea. Alapa supports pono management of Maunakea, while Nihipali is against TMT being built on the sacred site. Alapa also plans to focus on funding home repairs for beneficiaries and boosting mental health services if reelected.
Nihipali, who declined an interview, has raised nearly $4,000 for his campaign and is focused on providing leadership for Moloka‘i. Alapa, on the other hand, has not raised any money this election period and has a deficit to pay off from a previous loan. With ballots already mailed to registered voters, the general election is set for November 5th.
Jacob Aki, president of the O‘ahu Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, emphasized the importance of voters paying attention to OHA races on the neighbor islands. He believes it is crucial to have candidates who can be a voice for their communities and push issues forward at OHA. As the election approaches, the choice between Alapa and Nihipali will determine who will represent Moloka‘i and Lānaʻi on the OHA board.
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