R. Kunani Nihipali

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

R. Kunani Nihipali

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Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Kapālama High School

Personal

Birthplace

Honolulu, Hawaii

Profession

Retired

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Instagram

R. Kunani Nihipali ran for election to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to represent Moloka'i and Lana'i. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

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

Biography

R. Kunani Nihipali was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He earned a high school diploma from Kapālama High School.

Elections

2024

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

General election

General election for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Molokai and Lanai Resident Trustee

Incumbent Luana Alapa defeated R. Kunani Nihipali in the general election for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Molokai and Lanai Resident Trustee on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Luana Alapa (Nonpartisan)	58.8	168,781
	Submit photo	R. Kunani Nihipali (Nonpartisan)	41.2	118,435

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 287,216
= 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.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Molokai and Lanai Resident Trustee

Incumbent Luana Alapa and R. Kunani Nihipali defeated Lu Ann Lankford-Faborito and Gayla Haliniak in the primary for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Molokai and Lanai Resident Trustee on August 10, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Luana Alapa (Nonpartisan)	48.9	55,971
✔	Submit photo	R. Kunani Nihipali (Nonpartisan)	29.8	34,173
	Submit photo	Lu Ann Lankford-Faborito (Nonpartisan)	11.0	12,540
		Gayla Haliniak (Nonpartisan)	10.3	11,828

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 114,512
= 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.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Nihipali in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

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

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am RKunani Nihipali candidate fot the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Molokai/Lanai Islands. I am a Beneficiary of Agricultural lands in Hoolehua, Molokai. I am 74 years young. My home is built with shipping containers, off-grid, & except for water & non-food items we are totally self-sufficient. I am a farmer of Native & non-native sustainable food & flora crops. I held numerous leadership & supportive roles in political, economic, social & cultural organizations locally, nationally & Internationally. I am a retired police officer, and utilizing that experience by writing grants, curriculum and reports to help organize community activities & projects. Living on Molokai, I have organized & participated in many community meetings, forums, presentations & workshops. One workshop was an awareness Beneficiary initiative of the 125 Amendments to the Hawaii Homestead Commission Act of 1921. As part of farming food sustenance & sustainability, we created a contemporary uluniu: coconut grove to restore the culture of ‘ike niu-coconut knowledge to our communities. As a co- teacher of art with my wife Ipo, we worked with the QLCC Molokai teaching art techniques; helped restore’aina momona of lands & water, la’au lapa’au with other Kupuna; continuously working to restore our food security & establish food & water sovereignty on Molokai and working with the Molokai Heritage Trust Kupuna Council to secure Molokai Ranch Lands

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?

• As Kanaka Maoli, Native Hawaiians, we need to huliau—change our paradigm of thinking. Meaning, we need to think as Beneficiaries, not just Homesteaders living an illusion of reality of acculturation & assimilation of Americanism. We need for our Kanaka to remember who they were, as well as who they are today, by better understanding the relationship and history between Hawaii and America and our present education, economic, social & cultural social indices & indicators aren’t in our best interests. We need to huliau and understand that we may be houseless, but not homeless as the Host culture. We need to remind ourselves that we are a native people, not a racial minority. We know that as Native Hawaiians we live aloha.
• In 1993, 31 years ago, the US Congress & its President signed an Apology Law for the alleged overthrow of a Constitutional Monarchy, the Nation Kingdom of Hawaii illegally via an Act of War that guaranteed support for Reconciliation with the Native Hawaiian people…not the State, nor any Agency, Office, organization or association. There are four steps of Reconciliation. The Apology was Recognition. The next steps are Responsibility, followed by undertaking due diligence through Reparation & Restoration otherwise all we have is an empty Apology. OHA, which was created as a voice of the Native Hawaiian people, in news article April 18, 2023 has Abandoned & Defaulted on one of its primary reasons it was created in the first place.
• OHA has NO nation building initiatives or curriculum of Self-Determination & Self-Governance. Self-Determination is an inherent right to govern our own affairs, politically, economically, socially and culturally to preserve & perpetuate our cultural heritage, make decisions that best serve and benefit our community, ensuring that we have a rightful place in shaping the future of our homeland as the Host culture. We know that we must reduce houselessness for Native Hawaiians, offset the economic disenfranchisement, historical trauma, history of systemic inequalities, addressing these issues with better public awareness and understanding of American and Hawaiian history by restoring OHA’s mandated 20% fair share of Public Trust Funds.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

OHA has never gotten its fair share of the mandated Public Funds Trust. This ongoing shortfall hinders OHA’s ability to fully & effectively support Native Hawaiian communities as intended. Without equity in revenues, how is OHA able to fulfill its mandate, mission to support its needs & aspirations, thus its mandate remains compromised. OHA’s voice as the primary decision-maker , must be equally empowered at the process table, not on the menu. Ensuring OHA receives its rightful mandated share of revenues is crucial for upholding the Trust’s obligations promoting the well being of Native Hawaiians via psychological, cultural, spiritual rehabilitation of these historic dislocation & economic disenfranchisement past

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

I am 74 years ‘young’, and as a Kupuna, so I don’t have many options of admiration left. But, I do respect those who respect others, no matter the ‘station’ of life they live or their economic conditions. I live Aloha and will continue til I draw my last breath of life.
I admired my dad who held four jobs, one for each of us as his kamali’i. He was a hard worker, talented self-taught musician, fair and honest. My mom too was a hard worker raising us, eventually becoming employed and through hard work and dedication, became a supervisor in her employment. They both sacrificed a lot, gave us the best they could afford in care, shelter, food, clothing, education and overall support, but most of all taught us respect with Aloha.

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

I have always faith and hope for solutions to the myriad of challenges we faced growing up as Native Hawaiian in the ghettos of Honolulu. We succeeded, as we all graduated from school, one from public and the rest from the school on Kapalama Heights. With the best efforts of our parents, we learned the lessons of life, respect for and fairness to others. This we passed on to our kamali’i, mo’opuna to do. This is the way we conduct ourselves today and that success I translate to becoming a successful officeholder. Of course I bring my life time of community achievements, experiences and aspirations that I never stop learning.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A legacy of knowing that we made a difference in asserting our lifetime experiences to create better conditions for our Native Hawaiian People.

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

Statehood of Hawaii in 1959. I was 9 years young. There was a parade of dignitaries passing our school, Ka’iulani Elementary, across from Kaumakapili Church on King St lower Palama area. We were giving American flags to wave with as the procession of vehicles went by. We understood little of the significance of the situation, but have lived and witnessed a huliau, a historic turning of Hawaii history.

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

Service attendant @ several locations for several months earning less than $1.25 an hour. Since I was a student, that job didn’t last more than the summer months.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Change We Must by Nana Veary because huliau is not not an option.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman so I could accomplish everything before I leave this life

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Niu haohao

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Economics

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

We’ll find out soon

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

OHA should be subject to oversight by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission. This oversight should be applied no less, no more than it is to any other state agency. Such a measure ensures accountability and transparency, upholding the highest ethical standards while respecting the unique role and responsibilities of OHA in serving the Native Hawaiian community. By being held to the same ethical standards as other agencies, OHA can maintain the trust and confidence of the people it represents. It is important to remember that OHA is a state agency accountable to all the people of Hawaii, as everyone can vote for its Trustees. To enhance transparency & accessibility, OHA should adopt best practices in public communications, ensure regular & open meetings, & provide clear, easily accessible information on its activities & finances. This will foster greater trust and engagement with both the Hawaiian community and the broader public.

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.

Interview with Star Advertiser

Nihipali highlighted the following themes in an interview with Star Advertiser on July 19, 2024. The questions from Star Advertiser are bolded and Nihipali's responses follow below.

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Name on ballot: R Kunani Nihipali Running for: OHA Molokai Resident Trustee Political party: No answer submitted Campaign website: none Current occupation: retired Age: 74 Previous job history: Honolulu PD Previous elected office, if any: none Please describe your qualifications to represent the Native Hawaiian community. Although, my Nihipali Kupuna are from Kalawao Molokai before the Leper Settlement, I grew up in the 1950’s urban and country areas of Honolulu experiencing firsthand, the history of social and economic challenges as a Kanaka Maoli. My whole life has been community service. As a retired police officer, I worked at utilizing that experience writing grants, curriculum, and reports to help organize community activities and projects. As an educator, artist, lecturer, presenter, inventor, board of director, project director, elected delegate, fundraiser, co-creator, vice-chair, I’ve held numerous leadership and supportive roles in political, economic, social and cultural organizations locally, nationally and internationally. Living on Molokai, I help organize and participate in many community meetings, forums, presentations, workshops and created a Beneficiary awareness Initiative of the 125 Amendments to the HHC Act of 1921. I farm sustenance and sustainable foods; created a contemporary uluniu, coconut grove to restore the culture of ‘ike niu; worked with the Molokai QLCC teaching art to youth of Molokai; participate with the Kupuna Council of the Molokai Heritage Trust to secure Molokai Ranch Lands for our community; through hana lima, I’ve help restore ‘aina momona to our lands and waters; helped to restore traditional health, la’au lapa’au methods and practices with the ‘Aina Pulapula of Mahana, and work to reestablish food and water security and sovereignty on Molokai again. What is the most-pressing issue facing Native Hawaiians and how would you address the problem? We need a better understanding of what has led to the systemic economic and social inequalities, historic trauma and the physical, psychological and spiritual dislocation amongst Kanaka Maoli, within the general population of Hawaii. Thirty one years ago, the1993 US Congress Apology Law, Sec.1(4)&(5), guaranteed a process of Reconciliation. Numerous studies, reports, surveys, findings and recommendations by the DOI, DOJ, State government Task Force, are the guidelines to implementing the steps of reconciliation, to make it right, to ho’opono. We need to huliau, and to change our paradigm thinking: we need to think as Beneficiaries and not just Homesteaders; we need to stop living an illusion of reality of acculturation and assimilation of americanism; we need our Kanaka to remember who they were, as well as who they are today; we need to understand that we may be houseless, but not homeless; we need to remind ourselves, as the Host culture, that we are a Native people, not a racial minority; we need to improve public awareness and understanding through cultural rehabilitation values, beliefs, techniques and methods. Only then, can we overcome, these historic social & cultural stigmas of the past and present through a realignment of aspirations towards a better future for all of Hawai’i. Do you support or oppose the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Hawaii island? Please explain. A’ole. Its been long established in recent demonstrations, history that Mauna is a wahipana & and there are other venues that are less contentious, cheaper to build that can fulfill the needs of those who desire to persist on pursuing a telescope there. There are many issues that thus far the present commission or actions have not resolved & until amiable solutions are resolved, a’ole pono. What do believe is the best use of OHA’s Kakaako Makai lands and do you support building residential high-rises there? Please explain. OHA should take a more pro-active position in promoting Native Hawaiian Contemporary Visual Arts Centers like every ethnic/cultural groups have in Hawaii, as there are none for Kanaka anywhere. There are venues and promotions for the Performance Arts, but none for the Visual Arts. There are natural museums, but no space for the ‘living’ Native Hawaiian artists to have workshops, quarters to live in, exhibition or galleries spaces to have and/or ongoing displays whereby visitors can patronize them, like the Southwest Art Festivals, New Zealand and Japan does. The Kaka’ako location would be a venue in line with routes from the Honolulu airport, the City and walking distance from cruise ship docking areas. In addition, there should be open markets for farmed products grown there, fresh fish markets utilizing the boat slips there, have preparation and eateries of Native Foods, such as a poi factory should be reestablished in this area. I support Housing for Kupuna that may want to live in this community as resources to the younger population who will work there, creating sustainable communities, gardening schemes. By improving existing infrastructure, installing alternative energy systems, and having access to necessary resources and support services such as health and or home-care facilities for disabled and elderly this location would be a ‘natural’ for economic community development. What role should OHA play in helping Native Hawaiians cope with Hawaii’s high cost of living? OHA should partner with the DHHL to fulfill its mandate: “to rehabilitate the Native Hawaiian people.” OHA should kokua with native Hawaiian Housing Governmental programs on all levels to fulfill one aspect of the HHC Act’s mandate. In this way OHA can support DHHL to fully embrace and execute its role as outlined in the HHC Act. OHA, along with DHHL, can effectively reduce houseless-ness by providing housing solutions that includes not only building homes, but also, create sustainable communities, improve existing infrastructure, install alternative energy systems, and have access to necessary resources and support services. OHA should be setting up economic development schemes as in aforementioned question that creates more professional and not just comfort industry service-oriented jobs. What role should OHA play in the reshaping of Hawaii’s tourism industry? Based on the recent shift of funding to CNHA, the HTA obviously has not been promoting Hawaii effectively, thus given those resources, only time will tell if that’ll improve. Thus, OHA should take a more pro-active position in promoting Native Hawaiian Contemporary Visual Arts Centers as every ethnic/cultural groups have in Hawaii, but none for Kanaka. There are enough venues and promotions for the Performance Arts, but not the Visual Arts. There are natural museums, but no space for the ‘living’ arts by Native Hawaiian artists so for them to have workshops, exhibition or galleries and ongoing displays whereby tourists can visit, patronize like the Southwest Art Festivals, New Zealand and Japan have. The Kaka”ako area would be a venue for these schemes. The State Foundation of Culture and the Arts, needs to patronize, commission and purchase Native Hawaiian Artist and arts for the State Buildings and venues that had set it up since its inception, but has not been supportive. What reforms, if any, would you propose to make OHA more transparent to the public? OHA should be subject to no less and no more transparency and accessibility standards than any other public entity. It is important to remember that OHA is a state agency accountable to all the people of Hawaii, as everyone can vote for its trustees. To enhance transparency and accessibility, OHA should adopt best practices in public communication, ensure regular and open meetings, and provide clear, easily accessible information on its activities and finances. By being held to the same ethical standards as other state agencies, OHA can maintain the trust and confidence of the people it represents. This will foster greater trust and engagement with both the Hawaiian community and the broader public. What will be your top priority if elected? OHA was created in 1978 by the Hawai’i State constitution, Article 12, Sec.5 and is governed by 9 elected Trustees who are responsible for setting OHA policy and managing the Trust. Initially, we thought that OHA, was a voice for the Native Hawaiian People. In 2006, a Honolulu Advertiser article wrote: “OHA now working toward nationhood”. Recently, in a Civil Beat article, by Peter Apo, April 18, 2023, “OHA abandons commitment to Self-Governance”, thus, “OHA is defaulting on one of its primary reasons it was created in the 1st place.” Til today, OHA has NO Nation Building initiatives or curriculum of Self-Determination and Self-Governance. Self-determination is a fundamental right that acknowledges an inherent economic and political sovereignty of a nation. Self-determination means, having the autonomy to govern our own affairs, preserve and perpetuate our cultural heritage, make decisions that best serve our community, ensuring that we have a rightful place in shaping the future of our homeland. As Beneficiaries of OHA, we aren’t asking for anything more than any host culture would, accountability. Is there anything more that you would like voters to know about you? For 46 years, OHA has never received its mandated 20% fair share of the ceded lands revenues from the Public Lands Trust funds. We must demand that OHA, receives that mandated fair share of revenues. This ongoing shortfall hinders OHA’s ability to fully, effectively and essentially support the Native Hawaiian community as intended. It is crucial for OHA trust obligations, to achieve its mission, that supports the needs and aspirations that promote the well-being of our Native Hawaiian communities. Without this equity, OHA’s ability to fulfill its mandate remains compromised. We need a better understanding of what has led to the systemic economic and social inequalities, historic trauma and the physical, psychological and spiritual dislocation amongst Kanaka Maoli, within the general population of Hawaii. Thirty one years ago, the1993 US Congress Apology Law, Sec.1(4)&(5), guaranteed a process of Reconciliation. Numerous studies, reports, surveys, findings and recommendations by the DOI, DOJ, State government Task Force, are the guidelines to implementing the steps of reconciliation, to make it right, to ho’opono. We need to huliau, and to change our paradigm thinking: we need to think as Beneficiaries and not just Homesteaders; we need to stop living an illusion of reality of acculturation and assimilation of americanism; we need our Kanaka to remember who they were, as well as who they are today; we need to understand that we may be houseless, but not homeless; we need to remind ourselves, as the Host culture, that we are a Native people, not a racial minority; we need to improve public awareness and understanding through cultural rehabilitation values, beliefs, techniques and methods. Only then, can we overcome, these historic social & cultural stigmas of the past and present through a realignment of aspirations towards a better future for all of Hawai’i.

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Interview with Honolulu Civil Beat

Nihipali highlighted the following themes in an interview with Honolulu Civil Beat on July 9, 2024. The questions from Honolulu Civil Beat are bolded and Nihipali's responses follow below.

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Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Nov. 8 General Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected. The following came from R. Kunani Nihipali, candidate for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Molokai trustee. The other candidates include Luana Alapa, Lu Ann Lankford-Faborito and Gayla Haliniak. Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot. 1. What do you see as the most pressing problem facing Native Hawaiians, and what will you do about it? Economic and social parity/equality. Continue to create solutions through reconciliation as promised by America’s Apology Law Act 103-150 Sec1(4)&(5), 31 years ago and substantiated by numerous reports, surveys, studies, findings and recommendations. Begin by carrying out the rest of the steps of reconciliation: not just recognition of an empty apology, but take responsibility, do its due diligence through reparation and restoration as guaranteed by the U.S. Congress and its president to support reconciliation with the Native Hawaiian people, not the state, not any organization or association, but with the Native Hawaiian people at the table equally as the decision-makers. 2. Should OHA be subject to oversight by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission? No less, no more than any other state agency.. 3. Do you support the construction of the TMT atop Mauna Kea? Why or why not? Could the new management structure help to resolve long-standing disputes? Aole. It’s been long established in recent demonstrations, history that mauna is a wahipana and and there are other venues that are less contentious, cheaper to build that can fulfill the needs of those who desire to persist on pursuing a telescope there. There are many issues that thus far the present commission or actions have not resolved and until amiable solutions are resolved, aole pono. 4. What role should the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands play in reducing homelessness? DHHL as a state agency is in conflict as a native trust as averse to the Public Lands Trust and has never lived up to its role of the HHC Act since accepting that in 1959 as a precondition to statehood. Housing is but one part of the HHC Act mandate. 5. Why do you think Hawaiians are disproportionately represented in our prisons and jails? What can be done about it? Better public awareness and understanding of the impacts of American/Hawaii history and cultural rehabilitation methods may provide solutions. 6. What are your views regarding Hawaiian self-determination? Hawaiians aren’t asking for anything more than any other host culture would in their own “home.” 7. Is OHA getting its fair share of ceded-land revenues from the state? OHA has never gotten nor continues to be provided with its mandated 20% of the Public Lands Trust funds 8. Is OHA fulfilling its mandate to serve the Hawaiian people? If OHA is not provided equity in revenues, how can it fulfill its mandate? 9. Is Hawaii managing its tourism industry properly? What should be handled differently? Based on the recent shift of funding to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, the Hawaii Tourism Authority obviously has not been promoting Hawaii effectively. Thus, given those resources, only time will tell if that’ll improve. 10. How would you make OHA more transparent and accessible to the public and the Hawaiian people? OHA should be subjected to no less or no more than other public entities are accessible or transparent. Let’s not get confused here, OHA is a state agency accountable to all the people of Hawaii since everyone can vote for its trustees

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Campaign finance summary

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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.

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R. Kunani Nihipali campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Office of Hawaiian Affairs Molokai and Lanai Resident Trustee	Lost general	$1,970	$901
Grand total			$1,970	$901
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

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