Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Charles S. Ota remains one of the wealthiest elected officials in the state, with a net worth of $7.6 million, according to this year's financial disclosure statements filed with the state Ethics Commission. Financial disclosures show
OHA’s Ota is richest elected
official on the boardBy Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.comThe reports, which are due May 31 of each year, are filed so the public can learn about potential conflicts of interest among elected officials and candidates.
Overall, the Maui businessman, who was first appointed to the nine-member board last fall before winning an elected seat in November, lists assets of $9.5 million and liabilities of $1.9 million.
Ota, the first non-Hawaiian to serve on the board, reported the only change from his report last year was an increase in income from his OHA salary of $32,000 a year.
Other trustees whose finances have changed are Chairwoman Haunani Apoliona, who listed a new partnership this year with Molokai Investments Associates that is worth $14,641. Along with her OHA salary, Apoliona earned income as a musician for Olomana/Gerald K. Santos, and as a director for Bank of Hawaii.
Over the past year, trustee Clayton Hee has become a consultant for Maranatha Corrections of Bakersfield, Calif. Hee listed his income as a prison consultant at between $50,000 and $100,000.
Kauai trustee Donald Cataluna has become a lecturer at Kauai Community College this year. Cataluna is also a substitute teacher for the state Department of Education and for Kamehameha Schools.
The remaining five trustees did not list any changes in their finances, although their disclosures are noteworthy.
Trustee Oswald Stender, who helped manage billions of dollars in assets as a trustee of Kamehameha Schools, listed more than $125,000 in earnings this past year as a director or trustee of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Hawaii Tax Free Trust, Cash Assets Trust, Pacific Capital Funds and Grace Pacific. But OHA's budget and finance chairman has at least $1 million in real estate loans.
Stender is also a board member of nine nonprofit groups and owns various properties in Windward Oahu.
Trustee John D. Waihee IV continues to list his other employment as a bar manager at Keo's in Waikiki, where he earned $16,000 a year in 2000.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
