LIHU‘E — Dan Ahuna was elected Tuesday as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee for Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau. An educator and coach who resides in Kapa‘a with his wife Kanoe and four sons, Ahuna said he received the news of
LIHU‘E — Dan Ahuna was elected Tuesday as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee for Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.
An educator and coach who resides in Kapa‘a with his wife Kanoe and four sons, Ahuna said he received the news of the results with “great humility and confidence,” adding that he accepted this as an endorsement of the people.
“In the coming months, I’ll be working hard to prepare myself and staff for this great leadership role,” Ahuna said in a press release. “I wish to thank my fellow candidates for an inspiring campaign season as well as my family and friends for their tireless weeks of work and support.”
OHA is a state agency with a mandate to advocate for Native Hawaiians. There are nine statewide elected Board of Trustees. They function as an autonomous trust and present position statements on proposed legislation in addition to writing their own bills for consideration at the state Legislature.
Ahuna replaces Donald Cataluna, who had served as Kaua‘i trustee since 2000. Cataluna reportedly decided against running again due to his health.
Cataluna declined to comment on the election results.
Ahuna expressed thanks to Cataluna, his family and staff for great wisdom and aloha during his tenure.
“Trustee Cataluna is a great role model of leadership for me and all the leaders in the Hawaiian community,” Ahuna said.
At press time, Ahuna was carrying 12 percent of the statewide vote, with candidates Haunani Pacheco and Kanani Kagawa Fu trailing with just over 6 percentage points. Jackie Kahookele Burke and Leland K. “Radar” Yadao trailed at 5 percent.
The rest of the pack — Billy Kealamaikahiki Swain, the late Sharon Pomroy, Kaliko Santos, Liberta Hussey Albao, Keola Alalem Worthington and Ronson K. Sahut — finished with 4 percent or less.
Ahuna was raised in Papakolea, O‘ahu, and is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. Known by the nickname of “Dan2” he was a Rainbow Warrior football player from 1989 through 1991 and has actively educated and coached youth sports for many years.
The at-large trustee race went to incumbent candidate Haunani Apoliona of Honolulu. At press time, she had 24 percent of the vote. Cal Lee garnered 18 percent, Walter Ritte with 8 percent, Keli‘i Akina with 8 percent, Keali‘i Makekau with 3 percent and Lancelot Haili Lincoln with 3 percent.
Incumbent candidate Robert Lindsay won the Big Island trustee race. He received 30.6 percent of the vote, outpacing William Meyers and Edwin Miranda.
Carmen Hulu Lindsey will be the new Maui trustee. With 13.1 percent of the vote, Lindsey outpaced Dain Pomaika‘i Kane, Doreen Pua Gomes, Ke‘eaumoku Kapu, Glenn Au, Rose Duey and Johanna Kuulei Shin Amorin.
Incumbent Collette Machado ran unopposed for the position of Moloka‘i trustee.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
