Candidate Q&A: Office Of Hawaiian Affairs At-Large Trustee — Brendon Kalei’aina Lee

Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Nov. 8 General Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following came from Brendon Kalei’aina Lee, candidate for Office of Hawaiian Affairs at-large trustee. The other candidates include Keli’i Akina, Lei Ahu Isa, Peter Apo, Leona Kalima, Larry Kawaauhau and Patty Kahanamoku-Teruya.

Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot.

1. What do you see as the most pressing problem facing Native Hawaiians, and what will you do about it?

I believe housing is the most pressing problem facing Native Hawaiians.

While I was an OHA trustee in 2021, I spearheaded the effort with OHA’s land division and executive team to put together a land acquisition in Iwilei within the transit-oriented development corridor. This purchase was to allow OHA to take advantage of the city and state incentives to build affordable housing within the TOD.

Nothing has been done to move this project forward in the two years since leaving office. This will be my No. 1 initiative once I am back in office.

2. Should OHA be subject to oversight by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission?

Yes, the Hawaii State Ethics Commission should continue to have oversight over OHA. OHA Trustees are elected officials, and should be subject to state ethics laws.

3. Do you support the construction of the TMT atop Mauna Kea? Why or why not? Could the new management structure help to resolve long-standing disputes?

I do not have an opinion on the construction of the TMT atop Mauna Kea.

The reason for this is not only I am not from Hawaii island, my genealogy is not from Hawaii island. My paternal grandmother, a founding member of Protect Kahoolawe Ohana, always taught me to not be maha’oi in others’ matters.

While I recognize many in the state are against the TMT, Hawaii island residents are split on the matter. Until they decide what they feel is best for their island it would be premature for me have a say.

I do not believe the new management structure will help resolve any disputes as it currently stands. Until the legal issues that OHA has brought forward are resolved, the new management structure will not be able to address any issues or move forward with any plans.

4. What role should the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands play in reducing homelessness?

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is already playing a big role in reducing homelessness.

Native Hawaiians make up a large percentage of the homeless community. Every award DHHL gives out helps with this statistic, whether directly or indirectly.

5. Why do you think Hawaiians are disproportionately represented in our prisons and jails? What can be done about it?

Unfortunately, I believe it is the same reason other minority groups are disproportionately represented on the continent: historical trauma. It is a documented matter that if a minority group has historical trauma they are more vulnerable to crime, either due to economic factors or lack of opportunity.

There was a time in world history when Native Hawaiians were the most literate people in the world. We need to get back to a statistic like that. 

6. What are your views regarding Hawaiian self-determination?

I believe that Native Hawaiians should pursue both federal recognition and independence, whatever that may look like.

It is not one or the other, but rather pursuing both at the same time. Both approaches have their benefits for Native Hawaiians. 

7. Is OHA getting its fair share of ceded-land revenues from the state?

No, OHA is not getting its fair share of ceded-land revenues. While the state Legislature has raised the percentage that OHA receives, it is still well below what is owed per the State Constitution.

8. Is OHA fulfilling its mandate to serve the Hawaiian people?

Yes. While many feel OHA should do more, it is serving Native Hawaiians. To do more, requires more resources, which goes to the ceded-land revenues issue.

Part of my efforts to move OHA to an endowment model while I was a trustee is helping OHA better increase the Native Hawaiian Trust by leveraging OHA’s land values, given that OHA is the 13th-largest landowner in the state. 

9. Is Hawaii managing its tourism industry properly? What should be handled differently?

I believe it is starting to manage the tourism industry better. The new management strategy of “regenerative” tourism is a big step in the right direction. 

10. How would you make OHA more transparent and accessible to the public and the Hawaiian people?

I believe OHA has been transparent in the past, given the constraints of Hawaii’s Sunshine Law. All OHA meetings are open to the public per the Sunshine Law.

However, over the last two years OHA has been the least transparent over its history. Trustees not following their own governing rules, having the board making decisions that have not been vetted through any committee and having decisions being made by just the chair of the board or the chair and one or two other trustees, behind closed doors, then informing the board that a decision has been made.

I believe the new executive team at OHA needs to stand up to the current chair and force them to follow the board’s governance documents and Sunshine Law, or call for a vote to remove them.

Those within the building need to stand up for the Native Hawaiian people, for what is pono and for what the law requires. Our people deserve nothing less.