Anderson, Souza, Galuteria rise to top for OHA at-large seats

After more votes were tallied overnight, former Honolulu City Councilmember Ikaika Anderson is in, and incumbent John Waihe‘e IV is out as an at-large trustee on the board of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Anderson rose to the top in share of votes, with nearly 18% of votes at the third printout, followed by incumbent Keoni Souza, who took about 17.7% of votes and rose from fourth place to second.

Popular radio personality Brickwood Galuteria held on to his seat, with about 17% of votes at the third printout, edging out Waihe‘e.

Candidates this year were vying for seats representing Maui, Oahu and three at-large seats — five out of the nine seats on the OHA Board of Trustees.

Anderson, a newcomer, rose to the top early on Wednesday evening, while the other candidates were separated by narrow margins.

At second printout, Waihe‘e IV, the son of former Gov. John Waihe‘e, was in third place on the heels of Galuteria, and Souza was in fourth. Waihe‘e, an OHA trustee since 2000, had served as vice chair of the investments and land management committee.

Other candidates on the ballot were educator Adrian Keali‘i Akina and fisherman Kanekoa “Koa” Crabbe.

In the race for OHA’s Oahu seat, meanwhile, incumbent Kalei Akaka fended off challenger Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong, with about 55% versus about 45% of votes.

Akaka, the granddaughter of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, has served on the board since 2018.

Wong, a cultural advisor, educator and filmmaker known to most as Kumu Hina, had won the endorsements of major unions entering the election.

For the Maui seat, incumbent Carmen Hulu Lindsey beat her opponent, Ke‘eaumoku Kapu, with about 52% versus 48.3% of votes at final count.

Lindsey, a well-known recording artist, has served on the board since 2012.

The selection comes at a pivotal time, as OHA grapples with a lawsuit by its former CEO, Stacy Ferreira, which has sowed division within the board. Now, OHA faces the task of selecting a new CEO.

In the weeks leading up to the election, the board had voted to select Councilmember Todd Apo as the new CEO, but delayed the decision after receiving testimony in opposition.

OHA Chair Kai Kahele on Monday postponed the decision until after the general election.

Additionally, OHA is contending with long-delayed development plans for 30 acres in Kakaako Makai, questions over its role in military lease negotiations, and a potential bid to purchase KITV.

OHA, a semi-autonomous state agency created in 1978, manages nearly $1 billion in trust assets with the mission of improving the well-being of Native Hawaiians.