Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 7, 1 Iulai 2009 — State auditor recognizes strides made by OHA [ARTICLE]

State auditor recognizes strides made by OHA

A state audit of information technology management at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs released June 8 found many improvements since the last audit in 2005, however it still pointed out points for improvement. Anong the report's findings was that OHA is a mueh more stable and functional organization that is focused on its strategic mission. The report, titled "Management Audit of Information Technology Within the

Office of Hawaiian Affairs," also found that the backgrounds and attitude of OHA trustees play a significant role in the improvements of overall governance at OHA, and that consistency and stability in the administrator position over the past seven years has contributed to the overall improvements in OHA's govemanee structures. The audit's major suggestion is hiring a Chief Information Officer to assume governance duties over information systems, to direct IT policy and strategic planning, and to provide oversight to the agency's varied information assets. "Recognition of the improvements made by OHA is very encouraging," OHA Chair Haunani Apoliona wrote in a letter responding to the report.