2026 General Election OHA

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Maui OHA Carmen Linsey vs. Ke‘eaumoku Kapu

https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-...challenger


Oahu OHA Kalei Akaka vs. Hinaleimoana Wong

https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-...l-election


Office of Hawaiian Affairs
AT-LARGE
Scroll towards bottom of the Civil Beat page for names and links

https://www.civilbeat.org/elections-2026...an-affairs
 

[MyManao]

Oahu OHA Kalei Akaka vs..

When I came to the island in the ‘70s, and subsequently moved to Waipio Valley, my family was greeted with the embracing warmth of aloha the likes the incredible influx of foreigners since has made hard to find on the island anymore. As a result we became, and continue to be, a part of an ohana with roots much further back in time than the overthrow of the islands by the alii from Tahiti. And, among those who are a part is the Akaka family.

As such, and since Edge started a thread for this purpose, I would request, when considering your choices for the different OHA candidates, you give consideration to Kaleihikina “Kalei" Akaka for the Oahu seat.

Kalei is the daughter of Kahu Danny and Anna Akaka. Danny is himself the son of the late Senator Daniel Akaka. I imagine if you don’t know of Danny’s work directly you have at least seen pictures such as this one..



In that he and Anna are often asked to preform the pule (prayer) at ground breaking and other public ceremonial blessings around the state, and especially here on the island. Danny’s ‘day job’ is as the Mauna Lani’s cultural ambassador and resident historian.. about which you can read here.

There are not enough words to describe the warmth and sincerity of the Akaka family’s heart. And I can assure you that Danny and Anna’s daughter Kalei is the embodiment of it.

A bit about Kalei for OHA’s website..

Kalei Akaka was elected to represent the island of Oʻahu as an OHA trustee in 2018. She has served as chair of the Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment from 2020-2024 and vice chair of the BAE Committee from 2018-2020, and from 2024 to the present. Akaka was born and raised in an ʻohana dedicated to the arts, culture, education and service. Her grandfather was Daniel K. Akaka, a longtime U.S. Congressman and first Native Hawaiian U.S. Senator. Her father, a cultural practitioner, spiritual guide, historian and Hawaiʻi living treasure Daniel K. Akaka Jr. She is also grandniece of Reverend Abraham Akaka, kahu of Kawaiahaʻo Church who named Hawaiʻi the Aloha State upon statehood. Her legislative background includes working at the Hawaiʻi State Legislature in both the House and Senate, researching, budget planning and advising, along with her work on the State Senate Committee on Higher Education and the State Senate Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations.

Thank you for your consideration.