OHA readies plan to replace administrator

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is expected to replace longtime Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Clyde Namuo within the next 12 months.

OHA Chairwoman Colette Machado said Wednesday that she and fellow trustees will discuss a "succession plan" for administrative leadership at their Sept. 15 meeting.

Namuo’s contract, which pays him $129,000 annually, expires on July 31 and he is not expected to seek a renewal.

Exactly when Namuo will leave is still uncertain, he said Wednesday.

"I haven’t made a decision to retire or when that’s going to be," Namuo said. He declined to answer other questions.

Namuo, 60, has carried out the policies set forth by the majority of OHA’s nine elected trustees since he was hired in July 2001 under then-Chairwoman Haunani Apoliona. At the time, Apoliona had won the leadership after a protracted political battle against forces led by then-Trustee Clayton Hee.

Apoliona stepped down as chairwoman late last year and the reins were handed to Machado, her close ally.

Machado said Wednesday she would like Namuo to stay on at least through the end of this year.

She noted that several key OHA initiatives are to be completed by then, including finding a replacement for Trustee Boyd Mossman, who is resigning, and reorganizing committee assignments as a result.

Machado said she has been pleased with Namuo’s performance over the years. "We owe a lot to Clyde, he’s stabilized the organization and the auditors are happy," she said.

Trustee Oswald Stender also expressed gratitude for Namuo’s performance.

"Clyde’s done a fantastic job, the trustees are happy with him and all the work he’s done."

Before becoming OHA administrator, Namuo was deputy administrator for the state Judiciary.