The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is a self-governing corporate body of the State of Hawaii created by the 1978 Hawaii State Constitutional Convention. It is often described as the fourth branch of government in Hawaiʻi.

OHA's mandate is to advance the education, health, housing and economics of (Kānaka Maoli) Native Hawaiians. OHA conducts research and advocacy to shape public policies. OHA works with communities to share information and build public support for Hawaiian issues.

OHA was given control over certain public lands, and acquired other land-holdings for the provision of housing, supporting agriculture, and supporting cultural institutions. The lands initially given to OHA were originally crown lands of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, which had gone through various forms of public ownership since the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

OHA is a semi-autonomous government body administered by a nine-member board of trustees, elected by the people of the State of Hawaiʻi through popular suffrage. OHA manages more than $600 million worth of assets on behalf of Native Hawaiians.

Background

In 1893, pro-American elements in Hawaii overthrew the monarchy and formed the Republic of Hawaii, which the U.S. annexed in 1898. In 1921, in order to make amends for injustices associated with the overthrow and annexation, the US created the Hawaiian Homes Commissions Act which set aside 200,000 acres of land for the use of homelands for Native Hawaiians of 50% blood quantum or more. It was meant to create some compensation for forced colonization of the indigenous peoples, but in 1959 Hawaii was officially adopted as the fiftieth state of the US, with the Statehood Admissions Act defining "Native Hawaiian" as any person descended from the aboriginal people of Hawaii, living there prior to 1778. to manage that portion of the ceded lands allotted to Hawaiian Homelands, advance the lifestyle of Native Hawaiians, preserve Hawaiian culture and protect Native Hawaiian rights. It was established during the 1978 state constitutional convention. Government funding has created programs, schools, scholarships and teaching curriculums through OHA. The constitution provides an outline of that board, "There shall be a board of trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs elected by qualified voters who are Hawaiians, as provided by law. The board members shall be Hawaiians. There shall be not less than nine members of the board of trustees; provided that each of the following Islands have one representative: Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii. The board shall select a chairperson from its members. Trustees are elected to a four-year term by general election of Hawaii registered voters. The board of trustees generally meets twice a month.

The constitution adds, "The board of trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs shall exercise power as provided by law: to manage and administer the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the lands, natural resources, minerals and income derived from whatever sources for native Hawaiians and Hawaiians, including all income and proceeds from that pro rata portion of the trust referred to in section 4 of this article for native Hawaiians; to formulate policy relating to affairs of native Hawaiians and Hawaiians; and to exercise control over real and personal property set aside by state, federal or private sources and transferred to the board for native Hawaiians and Hawaiians. The board shall have the power to exercise control over the Office of Hawaiian Affairs through its executive officer, the administrator of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, who shall be appointed by the board. The elections are formally nonpartisan, with the party affiliations below reflecting known political history, candidate self-declaration, or state party support.

{| class="wikitable sortable"

|-

!District

!Name

!Start

!Party

!Next Election

|-

|rowspan=4 |At-large

|

|

| |Republican

|2028

|-

|

|

| |Democratic

|2026

|-

|, Vice Chair

|

| |Republican

|2026

|-

|

|

| |Independent

|2026

|-

|Hawaii Island

|, Chair

|

| |Democratic

|2028

|-

|Kauai and Niihau

|

|

| |Independent

|2028

|-

|Maui

|

| (appointed)

| |Independent

|2026

|-

|Molokai and Lanai

|

|

| |Independent

|2028

|-

|Oahu

|

|

| |Democratic

|2026

|}

See also

  • 1978 Hawaii State Constitutional Convention
  • Hawaiian sovereignty movement
  • Hawaiian Renaissance
  • Kanaiolowalu
  • Ceded lands (Hawaii)
  • Hawaii v. Office of Hawaiian Affairs

References

  • Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920 in the GPO Statute Compilations collection