Kalei Akaka
Kalei Akaka | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees | |
| Assumed office December 10, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Peter Apo |
| Constituency | Oʻahu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kaleihikina Lehua Akaka 1982 or 1983 (age 42–43) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Tyler |
| Relatives | Dan Akaka (grandfather) |
| Education | Chaminade University (BA) |
Kaleihikina Lehua "Kalei" Akaka is a Native Hawaiian politician serving as the Oʻahu Resident Trustee since 2018 for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA).[1] She is the granddaughter of the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka.[2] Akaka was first elected to the OHA Board of Trustees in 2018.[3] In the 2022 primary election, she secured a second term outright by receiving over 50% of the vote, a margin that precluded a general election contest under Hawaii election law.[4]
Early life and education
[edit]Akaka was raised in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaiʻi.[2] She attended Chaminade University of Honolulu, graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Marketing. Her paternal lineage includes a long history of participation in Hawaiʻi's Democratic party and federal representation.[1]
Career
[edit]Prior to her elective office, Akaka was a legislative aide in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, working for Representative Gilbert Keith-Agaran and Senator Brian Taniguchi.[2] Her professional background also includes work in public relations and marketing. She unsuccessfully sought election to the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives in 2012 and 2014, losing to Nicole Lowen.[3]
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (2018–Present)
[edit]Akaka took office as Oʻahu Resident Trustee starting in 2018. During her tenure, she has served as vice-chair of the Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment (BAE) committee.[1] This committee is responsible for OHA's legislative agenda and advocacy regarding Native Hawaiian rights and land assets.[5] In 2022, Akaka was one of several OHA incumbents to win their seats in the primary round, a result attributed to high name recognition and support from organized labor.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Kalei Akaka". The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). Retrieved April 16, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Kalei Akaka's Biography". VoteSmart.
- ^ a b "Kalei Akaka". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
- ^ a b Hurley, Timothy (August 14, 2022). "Kalei Akaka wins Office of Hawaiian Affairs' Oahu seat; 6 others advance in at-large race". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
- ^ "Board of Trustees". The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). Retrieved April 16, 2026.
Statewide political officials of Hawaii | ||
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| State government |
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| Office of Hawaiian Affairs |
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| Supreme Court |
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