Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 11, 1 Nowemapa 2011 — OHA announces search for new CEO [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA announces search for new CEO

By Colette Machado With anticipation and sadness, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Board of Trustees announced it will begin the search for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). OHA's current CEO, Clyde Nāmu'o, will be leaving OHA on Dec. 30, 2011. In its meeting on the morning of Oct. 5, OHA Trustees approved a process to initiate a search for a new CEO, whieh is anticipated to unfold over the course of the next three to five months. On Sept. 1, 2011, a news article reported Mr. Nāmu'o was not expected to renew his contract, whieh is due to expire on July 31, 2012. Given this, both the Board of Trustees and Mr. Nāmu'o met and decided to target early 2012 for the change in leadership. We are very grateful to Mr. Nāmu'o for providing professional, decisive and inspirational leadership for OHA, throughout a 10-year period of steady and remarkable growth. In serving our beneficiaries, Mr. Nāmu'o has al-

ways exhibited the best qualities of public service - unwavering eommitment, compassion, trustworthiness, loyalty and professionalism. When Mr. Nāmu'o assumed the role of Administrator in 200 1, OHA stood on very shaky ground. He walked into an office that our Native Hawaiian beneficiaries looked upon with suspicion, skepticism and mistrust. Mr. Nāmu'o was largely responsible for changing this around by taking to heart the principles of pono and aloha - justice and fairness, integrity, unequaled courtesy, generosity and spirited leadership. It is widely acknowledged that Mr. Nāmu'o's administration has provided OHA with 10 years of continuity, consistency and stability. His legacy is the solid foundation that he has forged for the organization, and upon whieh a new generation ean build as OHA moves forward. During Mr. Nāmu'o's administration, OHA clarified its internal fiscal and personnel operations and adopted and implemented spending and investment policies. The agency fulfilled the goals

of one strategic plan period and has adopted a strategic plan for the next five years. OHA's input in environmental regulatory procedures is taken seriously by other agencies and private entitles. For the first time since the 1893 Overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, "Hawaiian Land" was returned to "Hawaiian Hands" with the acquisition of the Wao Kele O Puna rainforest on Hawai'i Island and Waimea Valley on O'ahu. OHA hosted gubernatorial and congressional debates in the broader political arena and took the lead on advocating for the passage of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act. The Kau Inoa enrollment process was initiated and now has over 110,000 Hawaiians registered. OHA has successfully defended Native Hawaiian rights and entitlements from legal challenges in both state and federal courts. Reflecting upon the accomplishments of the past 10 years, Nāmu'o said: "The past 10 years has been a time of significant change for OHA as indicated in part, for example, by the increase of the operating budget from $12 million to over $30 million a year. I thank the OHA Trustees for giving me the opportunity to serve our beneficiaries with expanded services and programs and a more effective and clearly defined role as an advocate for Native Hawaiians." Nāmu'o added, "After all we have achieved, it is time for me to step down and pursue other endeavors and interests." The Asset Resource Management (ARM) Committee will be responsible for carrying out the recruitment process for the new CEO and will submit its recommendations for approval to the full Board, whieh will make the final decision. The Board will also appoint an interim CEO by the end of this year. ■ Coīette Maehaeīo is the Chairperson of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

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Trustee Oswald Stender and CE0 Clyde Nāmu'o at the 0ct.5 press conference announcing the search for a new CE0. Stender is the Chair of the Asset Resource Management Committee, whieh will lead the recruitment process. - Photo: Francine Murray