Office of Hawaiian Affairs to Produce Statewide Televised Candidate Forums for 2026 Board of Trustees Election

News Release from OHA, Aug 11, 2026

HONOLULU (Aug 11, 2026) – The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) will produce a series of televised candidate forums featuring candidates seeking election to the five OHA Board of Trustees seats on the November 2026 General Election ballot. The forums are designed to provide voters and OHA beneficiaries with an opportunity to hear directly from candidates about the issues, priorities and vision they would bring to OHA’s governing board.

The forums will feature candidates for the Oʻahu, Maui and three At-Large Trustee seats. They will focus on significant issues affecting Native Hawaiians and OHA, including military-leased lands, government accountability, advocacy for Native  Hawaiian rights and resources, consultation with Native Hawaiian organizations and beneficiaries, and other matters of importance to the lāhui.

“These forums reflect OHA’s commitment to ensuring voters have access to meaningful information as they select the leaders who will set policy, ensure sound governance, and discharge OHA’s constitutional and statutory responsibilities as the principal public agency responsible for Native Hawaiian affairs,” said Kaialiʻi Kahele, Chairperson of the OHA Board of Trustees. “By bringing candidates together to discuss issues important to Native Hawaiians, we hope to foster informed civic
engagement and encourage thoughtful participation in this year’s election.”

The candidate forums will be presented in partnership with ʻŌlelo Community Media and Hawaiʻi’s local media networks. The programs will be pre-recorded on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at ʻŌlelo Community Media in Honolulu and will be broadcast statewide during the week of October 12, 2026, providing broad public access ahead of the November General Election.

Eligible candidates have been invited to participate in the forums, which will provide each participant with an opportunity to address voters directly, discuss their qualifications and priorities, and explain how they would work to protect Native Hawaiian rights and resources while advancing OHA’s mission.

Additional information about broadcast schedules, viewing platforms and forum formats will be announced in the coming weeks.