OHA trustees clash over independent investigative report tied to CEO allegations

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) — Trustees at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs clashed at a board meeting Wednesday over how to handle an independent investigative report connected to retaliation allegations by the agency’s CEO, Stacy Kealohalani Ferreira.

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Ferreira filed a lawsuit against OHA alleging whistleblower retaliation. The independent investigation was triggered by her complaints.

A majority of trustees want the report publicly released, but sought to discuss it first in executive session — a move that failed when the board could not reach the required two-thirds majority to close the meeting.

Dispute over attorney access stalls executive session

Four minority trustees, who sided with Ferreira in a court document stating she is owed damages by OHA, wanted their own attorney present in executive session.

Board chair Kaiali’i Kahele denied the request.

“He does not represent OHA. He does not represent this organization,” Kahele said.

Trustee Carmen Hulu Lindsey pushed back, saying the attorney “does represent four trustees and it’s paid for by the insurance of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.”

Kahele said the board was committed to conducting its business despite the internal resistance.

“We were obstructed from doing that by some of our fellow trustees, so we have to have this in open session because this chair is committed to this agency’s business regardless of the obstructions that are put in front of it,” Kahele said.

Report remains secret after support for release falls short

Releasing the investigative report requires a unanimous vote, which the board did not have. The report remains undisclosed.

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Trustee Keli’i Akina argued that releasing even an executive summary of the report could harm Ferreira.

“Releasing just an executive summary would threaten potentially serious further harm to the CEO’s professional reputation and so it may be construed as a further retaliation against her,” Akina said.

Trustee Keoni Souza said, “John Mackey is trying to dismantle OHA along with four other trustees.”

Akina said his vote against entering executive session was not intended to obstruct the board’s work.

“In light of your decision, I would probably vote not to enter into executive session and don’t do that in any way to hinder our work,” Akina said.

Beneficiaries frustrated by withheld records

OHA beneficiary and advocate Germaine Meyers said she sought basic answers about the investigation and was denied.

“I simply wanted to know who authorized the investigation under what authority and how public funds were approved. Instead those records were withheld,” Meyers said.

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