Aiona to leave
OHA for health

He suggests a successor
to the board and approval
seems likely

By Lori Tighe
Star-Bulletin

Abraham Aiona says he must give up his Office of Hawaiian Affairs seat.

The resignation effective May 12 means one less supporter of former OHA Chairman Clayton Hee, dwindling his forces to three on the nine-member board.

Aiona, 72, said he had grown weary from his kidney dialysis treatment and flying to OHA meetings from Maui for seven years. His doctor encouraged him to resign, he said.

"I'm celebrating my 50th anniversary June 19th, and I promised Rose I would try to be less involved," he said yesterday, referring to his wife. "I liked being involved in the community because of the Hawaiian renaissance."

Must OHA go through the months-long selection process it took to select a replacement for the late Billie Beamer, which required the governor to intervene and appoint Gladys Brandt? The board was fractured 4-4.

Not likely, answered Chairwoman A. "Frenchy" DeSoto.

"We should do it in a day," she said. "Mr. Aiona has told everybody who his preference is for his replacement. It holds weight with the board. He's a good candidate," said DeSoto, who declined to reveal the person.

The OHA board will open the nomination process May 12, the same day it pays tribute to Aiona. Candidates must be part Hawaiian, registered to vote and live on Maui.

"I don't expect the interest to be as widespread," DeSoto said, referring to the competition for Beamer's position.

Beamer died Jan. 24 at age 70.

Aiona told each OHA board member earlier this winter his recommended successor, who planned to run in the '98 elections.

"He's been very active in the Hawaiian community," Aiona said.

Aiona also complimented Brandt, a Bishop Estate critic who co-authored "Broken Trust" and a former University of Hawaii Board of Regents chairwoman, at her first meeting for her peacemaker qualities.

There was some board dissension over committee appointments.

With Aiona's departure, none of Hee's supporters will be chairmen of OHA's committees.

Trustee Rowena Akana, a Hee supporter, bridled at the appointments and said they were one-sided and unfair.

The board cast six votes approving the committee appointments, with Hee and Akana absent.

New leaders at OHA

Office of Hawaiian Affairs committee assignments:

Policy & Planning: Gladys Brandt, chairwoman; Hannah Springer, vice chairwoman
Budget & Finance: Colette Machado, chairwoman; S. Haunani Apoliona, vice chairwoman
Legislative and Government Affairs: Abraham Aiona, chairman, but Vice Chairwoman S. Haunani Apoliona is to replace him.
Program Management: S. Haunani Apoliona, chairwoman; Colette Machado, vice chairwoman
Land & Sovereignty: Hannah Springer, chairwoman; Rowena Akana, vice chairwoman