Office of Human Affairs

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is a public agency with a high degree of autonomy. OHA is responsible for improving the well-being of Native Hawaiians. OHA is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of nine members who are elected statewide to serve four-year terms setting policy for the agency. OHA is administered by a Chief Executive Officer (Ka Pouhana) who is appointed by the Board of Trustees to oversee a staff of about 170 people.

OHA grew out of organized efforts in the 1970s to right past wrongs suffered by Native Hawaiians for over 100 years. Hawaiian activism brought their plight to the consciousness of the general public, leading grassroots leaders to propose that income from land taken from the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom be used to benefit Hawaiians. After voters of all backgrounds agreed, OHA was born in 1978.

To improve the conditions of Native Hawaiians, OHA focuses on six key strategic priorities:
‘Āina (Land & Water) – To maintain the connection to the past and a viable land base, Native Hawaiians will participate in and benefit from responsible stewardship of Ka Pae ‘Āina o Hawai’i.
Moʻomeheu (Culture) – To strengthen identity, Native Hawaiians will preserve, practice and perpetuate their culture.
Hoʻokahua Waiwai (Economic Self-Sufficiency) – To have choices and a sustainable future, Native Hawaiians will progress towards greater economic self-sufficiency.
Hoʻonaʻauao (Education) – To maximize choices of life and work, Native Hawaiians will gain knowledge and excel in educational opportunities at all levels.
Ea (Governance) – To restore pono and ea, Native Hawaiians will achieve self-governance, after which the assets of OHA will be transferred to the new governing entity.
Mauli Ola (Health) – To improve the quality and longevity of life, Native Hawaiians will enjoy healthy lifestyles and experience reduced onset of chronic diseases.

In order to achieve these strategic priorities, OHA focuses on the roles of advocate, researcher, asset manager and community engager to improve conditions for all Native Hawaiians through systemic change. By providing resources, advocating for Native Hawaiians, and facilitating collaboration, OHA is fulfilling its vision to raise a beloved nation.

OHA's Roles

Advocacy - means making changes to laws, policies, and practices which broadly impact the Priorities the Board of Trustees has approved in the OHA Strategic Plan. This includes community outreach to mobilize the community, monitoring activities to identify harmful policies and laws, and advocacy initiatives to change laws, policies and practices in ways that improve conditions for Native Hawaiians as outlined in the Priorities and Strategic Results.

Research - means to compile and gather data to identify gaps and important issues, inform our advocacy efforts and ensure our actions and initiatives are based on the best information available.

Asset Management - means to fulfill our trust by analyzing opportunities, making critical decisions, and maximizing the value of our portfolio and other investments.