FIRST TERM.
REAL RESULTS.
SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM KEONI'S FIRST TERM
Honored to serve our lāhui. Here are just some of the highlights from my first term as your OHA Trustee At-Large. Together, we're building a stronger future for Native Hawaiians.
A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERSHIP
As the youngest current member of the OHA Board of Trustees, Keoni brings a fresh perspective, energy, and a results-driven approach to OHA.
During his first term, he has taken on significant leadership responsibilities while serving on and leading numerous committees, evaluation committees, and Permitted Interaction Groups.
Keoni has worked to move ideas forward, bring people together, and turn priorities into action.
VICE CHAIR
OHA Board of Trustees
2025–2026
CHAIR
Investment & Land Management Committee
2025–2026
COMMISSIONER
Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission
2024–2026
- Chair, Ad Hoc Committee on Cultural Protocol and Practices
- Chair, 2025 OHA Salary Ad Hoc Committee
- Steering Committee Chair, Native Hawaiian Cultural Center Feasibility Study
- Member, Military Leased Lands Technical Advisory Group – Permitted Interaction Group
- Numerous Evaluation Committees
ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP & COMMITTEE SERVICE
FROM PRIORITY.
TO ACTION.
TO HOMEOWNERSHIP.
MORE HAWAIIAN HOMEOWNERS
TURNING A CAMPAIGN PRIORITY INTO ACTION.
Housing and homeownership were priorities Keoni campaigned on in 2022. During his first term, Keoni championed the Access to Home Ownership (AHO) initiative. Expanding pathways to homeownership by helping eligible Native Hawaiian buyers qualify with a lower required down payment through OHA’s loan guarantee program. The goal is simple: help more of our people put down roots, build generational stability, and continue calling Hawaiʻi home.
PARTNERING WITH TRADES
Keoni has worked closely with Hawaii’s construction trades to ensure Native Hawaiians have seats at the table in building our future infrastructure. By fostering these partnerships, we create sustainable job opportunities and strengthen the workforce in our communities.
ADVANCING OUR CULTURAL HOME
A home for the lāhui starts with preserving our cultural foundation. Keoni led the charge on a feasibility study for a Native Hawaiian Cultural Center, creating a space for our community to gather, learn, and flourish for generations.
STRENGTHENING OUR FINANCIAL FOUNDATION
$942.4 million
NATIVE HAWAIIAN TRUST FUND HIGHEST LEVEL IN OHA HISTORY (as of June 30, 2026)
Since December 2024, under Keoni's leadership as Chair of the Investment & Land Management Committee, OHA continued strengthening stewardship and oversight of beneficiary assets as the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund reached approximately $942.4 Million — its highest level in OHA history (an increase of over $100 Million). (Not including the $55 Million received by the Legislature this session.)
✓ Strengthened investment reporting and oversight
✓ Implemented OHA’s Real Estate Strategic Plan
✓ Refined the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund Spend Policy
✓ Advanced the Legacy Lands Investment Policy
✓ Established management policies for OHA’s legacy and investment lands
Under Keoni’s leadership as Chair of the Investment and Land Management Committee, OHA:
PROTECTING OUR ʻĀINA & CULTURE
Stewardship of Native Hawaiian lands is about more than ownership. It is about protecting cultural resources, exercising responsibility, and preserving these places for generations yet to come.
STEWARDSHIP OF OHA LEGACY LANDS
- Wao Kele o Puna
- Kūkaniloko
- Pahua Heiau
- Waimea Valley
- Palauea Cultural Preserve
- Waialua Courthouse
- Papahānaumokuākea
- Kāneiʻolouma Heiau
As Chair of OHA’s Ad Hoc Committee for Cultural Protocols and Practices, Keoni helped advance guidance for incorporating Hawaiian cultural protocols into OHA’s work. The committee worked with Kumu Kalani Akana to develop a foundation for these practices.
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SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL MAHIʻAI
To strengthen Hawaiʻi’s food security, OHA awarded and distributed $210,000 to 44 Native Hawaiian-owned farming businesses through the Mahiʻai Micro Fund. This investment supports our local farmers, strengthens Indigenous food systems, and helps sustain agriculture in our communities.
INVESTING IN HAWAIIAN EDUCATION
Keoni is dedicated to ensuring our keiki and kumu have the resources they need to thrive. By investing in Hawaiian education, we are preserving our ancestral knowledge, supporting culturally-relevant learning, and empowering the next generation of leaders to shape a brighter future for our lāhui.
COMMUNITY ADVOCACY
STANDING TOGETHER DURING CRISIS
Responsive leadership requires decisive action when nature strikes. Throughout his tenure, Keoni has helped to secure vital aid for our families during the Maui wildfires, Kona Low floods, and recent severe storm events, ensuring the Office of Hawaiian Affairs remains a pillar of support.
HURRICANE LOWELL
OHA authorized up to $362,800 in emergency relief for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries impacted by Hurricane Lowell, with particular attention to Kauaʻi, Niʻihau, and West Oʻahu.
Assistance included household disaster grants, community resource hub support, and grocery gift cards.
MAUI WILDFIRES
Keoni advocated for substantially increased OHA relief funding for families and communities impacted by the Maui wildfires.
During Keoni’s first term, OHA deployed $5 million through its Kanaaho program to support Native Hawaiian households impacted by the Maui wildfires. Initial grants provided $9,000 to eligible homeowners and $4,000 to eligible renters, followed by additional recovery assistance through Kanaaho 2.0.
OHA also helped facilitate emergency housing assistance with community partners, provided warehouse space at Kakaʻako Makai with rent and utilities waived to organize and deploy donated supplies, and helped raise more than $100,000 through the Wiwoʻole Maui Benefit Concert.
KONA LOW
Supported increased relief resources for Native Hawaiian families and communities impacted by Kona Low.
OHA’s response to the March 2026 Kona Low storms included direct financial assistance, home-repair grants, essential supplies, and support for Native Hawaiian farmers.
As of August 26, 2026, OHA reported $1.098 million disbursed statewide through I Ola, $380,000 in approved Home Depot gift-card awards for 190 beneficiaries, and $60,000 distributed through initial Mālama Honua home-repair grants. These efforts supported immediate needs and continued recovery for Native Hawaiian families.
HURRICANE LALA / KŌKUA KAʻŪ
During Keoni’s first term, OHA authorized more than $338,000 in emergency funding and gift-card resources following Hurricane Lala, prioritizing hard-hit Kaʻū communities. OHA and its partners also delivered approximately 1,500 pounds of essential supplies by helicopter to isolated families.
THE WORK CONTINUES.
There is still much more to do. Keoni remains committed to expanding housing and homeownership opportunities for Native Hawaiian families, protecting our ʻāina and culture, strengthening OHA's financial foundation, creating greater economic opportunity, and ensuring accountability in the stewardship of beneficiary resources.
PROTECT OUR CULTURE. STRENGTHEN OUR FUTURE.
BUILD A STRONGER HAWAIʻI.
beneficiary RESOURCES
These resources are provided to support our beneficiaries in navigating important programs and finding aid during critical times.