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Cayetano names
By Harold Morse
business executive
Kauai OHA trustee
Star-BulletinGov. Ben Cayetano has appointed Donald Cataluna as Kauai trustee to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs because two OHA factions could not agree on a new trustee.
Cataluna, business executive and former project manager of Kauai County Office of Economic Development, fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Moses Keale Sr.
Faction leaders say they hope for the best and will try to work with him.
"I welcome him and certainly look forward to working with him," said trustee A. Frenchy DeSoto said.
Ex-Chairwoman Rowena Akana said: "I understand he has a business background. I think that will be good for OHA. I hope that he will be a great help to the board and most important to me would be that Mr. Cataluna remain neutral and contribute to the board as an independent. That is very, very important."
Chairman Clayton Hee welcomed the move.
"I'm glad that the governor has made an appointment," Hee said. "It fills the last vacancy and puts the board at full strength again. From what I know of Don Cataluna, he will add to the makeup of the board by bringing a wealth of experience in economic development, agriculture and corporate management to the boardroom table."
"Donald Cataluna impresses me as a reasoned and even-tempered decision-maker," Gov. Cayetano said. "He brings to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs maturity, vision and a sincere desire to help the Hawaiian community."
"To serve as the Kauai trustee is a real challenge, which I am happy and honored to accept," Cataluna said. "I look forward to serving the Hawaiian community by working together with all the OHA trustees."
Cataluna has lectured part-time at Kauai Community College since 1996, teaching management courses in business, economics and agriculture. His Kauai County work with economic development included acquiring grants for taro studies and a water study to benefit Hawaiian homesteaders at Kealia and Anahola.
From 1990 to 1993, Cataluna was chief executive officer of Hilo Coast Processing and president of Maunakea Agribusiness and Maunakea Macadamia Nut Co. He was vice president and manager of Olokele Sugar Co., 1987-90; Wailuku Agribusiness, 1979-87; and Kilauea Agronomics Inc., 1976-79.
In filling a previous vacancy when OHA trustees were deadlocked, Cayetano appointed Gladys Brandt to serve out the remaining months of the late Billie Beamer's term in 1998. Brandt did not seek election to the position that November, and Maui Trustee Hao was voted into office.
OHA Special
