Incumbents Keli‘i Akina, Luana Alapa and Dan Ahuna have secured reelection for their three seats on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees, according to Wednesday's latest report from the Office of Elections.
Name recognition likely played a key role as the incumbents defended their seats from challengers, including a political veteran.
At-large trustee Akina received about 75,000 more votes than former OHA trustee Lei Ahu Isa.
Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi trustee Alapa had about 50,000 votes over retired Honolulu police officer Kunani Nihipali.
Kauaʻi and Niʻihau trustee Ahuna had more than 35,000 over political newcomer Laura Lindsey.
OHA is a semi-autonomous state agency tasked with improving the well-being of Native Hawaiians. The nine-member board includes four at-large seats and one representative from the districts of Hawaiʻi Island, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, Maui, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.
