Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 2016 — OHAKa Pouhana reappointed [ARTICLE]

OHAKa Pouhana reappointed

By Ka Wai Ola Staff The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees approved a new three-year contract for OHA Ka Pouhana Kamana'opono Crabbe at the June 30 board meeting. The deliberations over Crabbe's reappointment took plaee in executive session, after whieh OHA Board Chairman Robert K. Lindsey Jr. stated, "I am pleased to announee that the board has approved a new three-year contract for CEO Kamana'opono Crabbe. An ad hoe committee has been created to work out the details of the contract. For the board, the decision, in large part, rellects a commitment to providing OHA employees with stable leadership at the top. The most important decision we make for this organization is selecting its CEO. Our hope is that this decision inspires the eonfidence and support of our employees and beneficiaries." Crabbe has been OHA's CEO since 2012, a position he was appointed to after serving two years as the agency's Research Director. Under his tenure, OHA revamped its Grants Program, allowing the agency to give out $12 million in awards. The agency has also adopted a water policy to better advocate for communities facing water challenges, such as East Maui taro farmers. Work still underway includes working with the Legislature to increase OHA's current land trust payments. State law entitles OHA to a 20 percent share of revenues from the Puhlie Land Trust, whieh for the last three fiscal years has averaged more than $31.6 million a year. However, OHA's payments have been capped at $15.1 million since 2006. Under Crabbe's leadership, OHA has also shored up its land division to stabilize legacy lands and commercial properties, whieh tripled annual revenue to $3 million in 2015. In March, Crabbe led a Hawai'i delegation to Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum in New Zealand to return King Kalani'opu'u's 'ahu 'ula and mahiole, a feathered eape and helmet that are prized symbols of royalty. The treasures are now shared with the eommunity at Bishop Museum. ■

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