Ikaika Anderson Begins OHA Role Ahead of Dec. 8 Board Session
The former Honolulu City Councilman arrived Monday to a traditional welcome and will review three candidates for the executive director post.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
Ikaika Anderson started his tenure at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Monday afternoon.
Anderson arrived at the Honolulu office accompanied by his new staff. Board members and employees greeted him with leis and traditional Hawaiian protocol. OHA Chair Kaiali’i Kahele formally welcomed the trustee-elect to the board.
Anderson had previously served on the Honolulu City Council from 2009 to 2020. He stepped down from that body after 11 years to care for his elderly grandparents, Sen. Whitney Anderson and Hannie Anderson. Both grandparents have since passed away. Anderson described Monday’s welcome as a moving return to public service.
“Grateful for the opportunity to serve our kānaka lāhui and also for the opportunity to work toward the betterment of all of Hawaii’s people,” Anderson said. Trustee Brickwood Galuteria, who was reelected to the At-Large seat, told Anderson he had secured a place in the canoe.
The new board holds its first meeting on Dec. 8. Trustees are scheduled to select a new chief executive officer on Dec. 10. Anderson said he will meet with Kumabe, the executive search firm, later this week. He plans to interview all three candidates and ask specific questions.
Anderson said he looks forward to reconnecting with his eight fellow trustees during an intensive onboarding process at OHA offices.
