HTA picks new cultural affairs director after controversial dismissal
COURTESY HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY
Kalani Kaanaana
COURTESY HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY Kalani Kaanaana
The Hawaii Tourism Authority has appointed a new director of cultural affairs about six months after the abrupt ouster of the previous director drew criticism from the Native Hawaiian community.
Kalani Kaanaana assumed the post Monday. Before joining HTA, Kaanaana served as coordinator of clinical health and community programs in the Native Hawaiian Health Program at The Queen’s Health Systems.
“I was drawn to this position because of its significance to the Hawaiian community and to all the people of Hawaii. I see the responsibilities as a great opportunity to promote increased dialogue and collaboration, and to elevate our native culture authentically in our largest industry,” Kaanaana said in a press release.
George D. Szigeti, HTA’s president and CEO, said, “Kalani is deeply committed to the Hawaiian culture on a personal, community and educational level. He brings to HTA a vision and energy that will help guide us in supporting programs and issues that are key to perpetuating our islands’ native culture.”
Kaanaana replaces Keli’i Wilson, a Native Hawaiian whose parents were pioneers in the Hawaiian language immersion program.
Former HTA Board Chairman Aaron J. Sala and Native Hawaiian advocate Vicky Holt Takamine criticized the board in January over Wilson’s abrupt dismissal. Takamine told the board in January that Wilson built HTA’s Hawaiian program from a $50,000 afterthought to a $10 million endeavor, strengthening the relationship between the authority and the Hawaiian community.
The board, which declined to discuss Wilson’s departure because it was a personnel matter, hired Bishop & Co. to oversee her replacement.
Kaanaana from graduated Kailua High School and from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, earning bachelor of arts degrees in both Hawaiian language and Hawaiian studies, according to the HTA. He is fluent in Hawaiian and served as a student marshal for the Hawaiinuiakea College of Hawaiian Knowledge. Kaanaana also served as a legislative aide to State Rep. Ken Ito and State Rep. Pono Chong.
12 responses to “HTA picks new cultural affairs director after controversial dismissal”
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He sounds highly qualified and I wish the best luck to him. I don’t know the personnel issues with the former director though.
Yes, and here is his sole qualification: “Kaanaana also served as a legislative aide to State Rep. Ken Ito and State Rep. Pono Chong” — politics, politics, politics.
well that and his name
What a surprise. Once again, a man is the most qualified for the job.
Well, did you apply?
HTA is supposed to promote tourism, not promote Native Hawaiian programs!
Really? WHo would you have rather see in the position? WHy not promote Hawaiian Programs and Culture? Is this not the state of Hawaii……smh
Kaanaana? Kahuna ‘ana’ana were practitioners who could pray you to death. That was the flip side of kahuna lapa’au or medicinal practitioners. Just wondering about his family background? Maybe not the person to play with?
Kaanaana? Kahuna ‘ana’ana were practitioners who could pray you to death. That was the flip side of kahuna lapa’au or medicinal practitioners. Just wondering about his family background if this Hawaiian interpretation is correct? Maybe not the person to play with?
He’s already got you seeing double. Impending stroke? Better go visit a kahuna lapa’au!
SA: Doesn’t Kalani’s last name have okina and kahako? If your response is that your policy is not to include ANY okina or kahako, then why did you spell the name of the previous director of cultural affairs (Keli`i Wilson) with an okina? Just so you know, SA, diacritical marks in Hawaiian are like letters. It can make a world of difference in the word/name. For example, consider lanai vs. Lana`i, or pau vs. pa`u. In English, would you write “were” if what you really meant was “we`re”?
Cultural Affairs Director? Sounds like a made up, do nothing job to me, what exactly are the duties? Except for his name, he doesn’t even appear to be Hawaiian. I’m sure the tourists will get a kick when he breaks out his Hawaiian language skills on them.