OHA Board Postpones CEO Selection Following Extensive Public Input

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) — Facing significant public scrutiny and political pressure, the trustees at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have chosen to delay their decision on appointing a new CEO. Former Honolulu City Councilman Todd Apo appeared to have majority support during discussions on Wednesday, but a surge of last-minute testimony against him altered the outcome.

Most of the testimony presented was critical of Apo, leading to a 5-4 vote by the board to postpone the decision until November 2, the day before the general election. Apo has been under fire during the meeting, which he attended with his wife, as the board grapples with developments in Kakaʻako Makai and matters related to Hawaiian crown lands. The current interim CEO, Summer Sylva, has been in her role for over a year amidst a legal dispute involving former CEO Stacy Ferreira, who is currently on paid leave. Another candidate, Kaulana Park, is the former director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.