Keli'i Akina

Keli'i Akina

Do you have a photo that could go here? Click here to submit it for this profile!

---

Nonpartisan

Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-large Trustee

Tenure

2016 - Present

Term ends

2028

Years in position

9

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Kamehameha Schools

Bachelor's

Northwestern University, 1992

Graduate

University of Hawaii, 2002

Ph.D

University of Hawaii, 2010

Personal

Religion

Christian

Profession

CEO

Contact

Official website

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Keli'i Akina is an at-large member of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. He assumed office in 2016. His current term ends on November 7, 2028.

Akina ran for re-election for an at-large seat of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Akina completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Keli'i Akina earned a high school diploma from the Kamehameha Schools, a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University in 1992, a graduate degree from the University of Hawaii in 2002, and a Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii in 2010. His career experience includes working in Christian ministry, higher education, public policy, and government service. As of 2024, Akina was president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

Elections

2024

See also: Hawaii Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees election, 2024

General election

General election for Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-large Trustee

Incumbent Keli'i Akina defeated Lei Ahu Isa in the general election for Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-large Trustee on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Keli'i Akina (Nonpartisan)	61.5	200,554
		Lei Ahu Isa (Nonpartisan)	38.5	125,304

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 325,858
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-large Trustee

The following candidates ran in the primary for Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-large Trustee on August 10, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Keli'i Akina (Nonpartisan)	26.8	40,836
✔		Lei Ahu Isa (Nonpartisan)	20.2	30,860
		Peter Apo (Nonpartisan)	18.0	27,487
		Brendon Kalei'aina Lee (Nonpartisan)	12.3	18,744
		Patty Kahanamoku-Teruya (Nonpartisan)	11.6	17,670
	Submit photo	Leona M. Kalima (Nonpartisan)	7.5	11,424
	Submit photo	Larry Kawaauhau (Nonpartisan)	3.6	5,529

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 152,550
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Palikapu Dedman (Nonpartisan)
• Derek Kirkpatrick (Nonpartisan)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Akina in this election.

2020

See also: Hawaii Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees election, 2020

General election

General election for Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-large Trustee

Incumbent Keli'i Akina defeated Keoni Souza in the general election for Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-large Trustee on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Keli'i Akina (Nonpartisan)	50.2	197,829
		Keoni Souza (Nonpartisan)	49.8	196,206

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 394,035
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-large Trustee

The following candidates ran in the primary for Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-large Trustee on August 8, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Keli'i Akina (Nonpartisan)	34.4	77,136
✔		Keoni Souza (Nonpartisan)	27.0	60,389
	Submit photo	Jackie Burke (Nonpartisan)	13.1	29,422
	Submit photo	Kaipo Hanakahi (Nonpartisan)	9.2	20,690
	Submit photo	Shane Palacat-Nelsen (Nonpartisan)	6.8	15,275
	Submit photo	Larry Kawaauhau (Nonpartisan)	5.3	11,782
	Submit photo	Lenson Sonoda (Nonpartisan)	4.1	9,254

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 223,948
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Keli'i Akina completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Akina's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Aloha, I'm Keli'i Akina, Trustee-at-Large in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. I was elected to OHA in 2016 with 164,000 votes. Since then, I have fulfilled my campaign promise to bring needed reforms to the agency and help it to better serve Hawaiians and all people of the state. I'm also the President/CEO of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, the independent think tank which is helping Hawaii to develop a better economy and government. I'm a husband and father of four children, each of whom, like me, is a proud graduate of the Kamehameha Schools. At Kamehameha, I was the chanter for the school court and went on to become chanter for the halau of a renowned kumu hula. I earned a Bachelor's degree at Northwestern University and completed my Master's and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Hawaii. My first career was in Christian ministry, where I started on the Waianae and Nanakuli coast reaching out to young people. After 31 years, I retired as state-wide president of Youth for Christ and founder of the Center for Tomorrow's Leaders. I then became a college professor, teaching philosophy and ethics. Today, I am active in helping our state's leaders develop improved policies for the government, economy, and society.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I'm committed to fulfilling my three-part plan, which focuses on the need for trustees to be watchdogs and develop the trust fund assets of OHA: 1) Protect the trust through audits and strong fiscal policy; 2) Grow the trust by developing valuable income properties such as Kaka'ako Makai, and 3) Use the trust for the real needs of Hawaiians - housing, jobs, education, and healthcare.S
• I am passionately committed to serving the needs of my fellow Hawaiians, but in a way that benefits all people of Hawaii. That's because I envision a Hawaii where all residents thrive and live by the Aloha Spirit. To raise the water level of one boat, we must raise the water level of all boats. OHA can do so much good for Hawaiians and all people when we work together. That's why I promote the value of E Hana Kākou/ Let's Work Together! It's time to stop dividing Hawaii's people and start uniting.
• OHA is a state government agency responsible for improving the conditions of native Hawaiians. OHA also impacts the lives of all residents in Hawaii as it influences decisions about land, ocean, and society. And when OHA fails to fully provide for the welfare needs of Hawaiians, that burden falls on state taxpayers. It is the right and responsibility of all citizens to vote for OHA trustees who oversee the work of the agency. When OHA functions properly, it benefits Hawaiians and all people in the state. When I was elected to OHA, the agency was at an all-time low in its reputation. Despite opposition, I successfully championed an audit for fraud, waste, and abuse, which is now a blueprint for many needed reforms.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Housing, jobs, healthcare, and education.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Serving the needs of Hawaiians, it’s part of the constitution of the state of Hawaii.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Although I am far from being a great example, I try to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Government office holders should display honesty, integrity and a commitment to the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have a lifetime of developing leaders and organizations as well as experience in business and public office.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility of a trustee in 0HA is the fiduciary duty to ensure the betterment of the conditions of the native Hawaiian people.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a Hawai’i that has greater opportunities for my children and those of others.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first major historical event, that I recall was the death of President John F Kennedy. I was five years old and deeply moved because I admired him.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first attempt at earning money was as a young elementary school child. I started various little businesses such as shining shoes selling popcorn in the neighborhood.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Trustees should be guardians of the trust funds. They should protect the funds, grow the funds, and use the funds to ensure the betterment of the conditions of the native wine people.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

OHA Has an impact on virtually every major decision affecting all people who live in Hawaii, especially issues dealing with land, water, and culture.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Previous experience in government is it helpful; however, good business experience, and life accomplishment are of the greatest value.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Trustees should have the educational and professional experience needed to make high-level decisions regarding a major trust fund.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Governments at all levels should be transparent and held accountable to the people. There must be watchdogs to ensure that this takes place.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2020

Keli'i Akina did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

---

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

---

Keli'i Akina campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-large Trustee	Won general	$67,242	$64,598
Grand total			$67,242	$64,598
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-large Trustee

Website

Facebook

Officeholder

Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-large Trustee

Website

Personal

Facebook

LinkedIn