OHA power struggles continue

Despite calls for reconciliation and peace, the fractured Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees is likely to engage in even more skirmishing next week, possibly including an attempt to topple Chairwoman Rowena Akana from her leadership role.

For the second week in a row, the nine-member board is scheduled to hold two one-topic meetings, each tied to the power struggle the trustees currently find themselves locked in.

But instead of closed-door sessions like this week’s meetings, the fireworks are set to go off in public.

Monday’s 10 a.m. meeting will look at whether OHA should undergo a forensic audit, a comprehensive examination of the agency’s recent history of spending with an eye toward possible criminal wrongdoing.

At 10 a.m. Tuesday, the board will consider a “Reorganization of the Board of Trustees,” a meeting formally requested by at least five members, including the current minority faction of Robert Lindsey, Dan Ahuna, Peter Apo and Colette Machado, plus vice chairwoman Lei Ahu Isa, who helped to elect Akana chairwoman two months ago by a narrow 5-4 vote.

Akana said Wednesday that she said she believes Ahu Isa may be plotting to take over as board leader following Tuesday’s closed-door meeting that examined a “confidential executive summary of incidents” involving Akana and her 2013 lawsuit against the trustees, as well as her alleged mistreatment of OHA employees.

But Akana, who was not part of the executive session, said she’s confident she will be able to fend off the coup. She said she can explain and refute any accusations against her.

Ahu Isa could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

As for the forensic audit, Akana said some beneficiaries have been campaigning for it following news of shady practices, improprieties and alleged illegal activities connected to OHA in recent years.

She said the audit will be costly but worth it to flush out bad elements that have been taking advantage of the agency for their own financial gain. She said it will have some trustees “running for cover.”

Trustee Peter Apo, calling the move “mean-spirited,” said he would not support a forensic audit, while the newest trustee, Keli‘i Akina, said he would be willing to consider the proposal but was reluctant to commit to it before looking at further information.

The board will hold its final meeting of the week today at 10 a.m. to once again take up the employment contract of CEO Kamana‘opono Crabbe in executive session. Trustees are expected to examine some negative employee surveys about the agency’s top staff member.

The board majority, led by Akana, voted Jan. 8 to enter negotiations to buy out Crabbe’s three-year, $150,000-a-year contract.

On Tuesday, beneficiaries scolded the trustees during the public portion of the meeting, urging them to stop the quarreling and instead focus on improving the lives of Native Hawaiians.