OHA board nominates 7 to replace Dela Cruz

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees nominated seven people yesterday as candidates for the trustee post left open by the death of Linda Dela Cruz.

The board's eight trustees have tentatively scheduled to vote for a replacement next week. A nominee needs two-thirds of the vote to take office.

The seven nominees, who would represent the Big Island if elected, are:

» Palikapu Dedman, president of the Pele Defense Fund, an organization created to protect and preserve native Hawaiian practices.

» Mililani Trask, a local attorney and advocate for the Hawaiian sovereignty movement.

» Robert Lindsey, a Big Island coffee farm owner.

» Charley Rose, past president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.

» Ann Nathaniel, president of Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi, a health care group.

» Louis Hao, a native Hawaiian and former OHA trustee.

» William Chillingworth, a retired state District Court judge.

Dela Cruz, a singer, hula school owner and homesteader, died March 15 at her home in Hilo. She was 77.

Dela Cruz won a seat on the OHA board in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004. Her term was to end in 2008. Trustees have until May 4 to select a replacement. If one is not chosen by then, Gov. Linda Lingle will have 30 days to name a replacement.