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OHA beneficiary advocacy committee approves April minutes, convenes executive session on Papahānaumokuākea federal actions
Summary
At its July meeting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment approved minutes from April 2, 2025, and voted to enter executive session for a legal briefing on federal actions concerning Papahānaumokuākea.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment approved minutes from its April 2, 2025, meeting and then voted to convene an executive session for a legal briefing on federal actions related to Papahānaumokuākea, Chair Galiteria said at the start of the committee's July meeting.
The committee, which the chair described as responsible for “the advancement of interests of native Hawaiian beneficiaries through policy oversight, legislative review, and targeted advocacy,” held a roll call and determined there was a quorum present. Chair Galiteria said the Papahānaumokuākea matter required “close legal review” and that the committee had moved that agenda item to the start of the meeting to accommodate the general counsel joining remotely.
Before taking the executive-session vote the committee's CEO, Kapuana Stacy Ferreira, introduced several staff members attending in person and online, including Chief Operating Officer Kehae Haupulu, Investment Director and Interim CFO Ryan Lee, Corporation Counsel Everett Ota, Director of Advocacy Lena Alalei and technology staff. The chair also reviewed meeting procedures and guidance from the bylaws and Robert’s Rules of Order for small boards, noting that the committee follows Article 12 of the bylaws and requested decorum during debate.
A motion to approve the April 2, 2025, minutes was moved by Trustee Susan and seconded by Trustee Lindsey. Chair Galiteria called for the vote and, after members answered, announced there was no opposition and the motion was approved.
Later the committee moved to convene an executive session to receive a legal briefing on federal actions concerning Papahānaumokuākea. The chair thanked Corporation Counsel Everett Ota for accommodating the remote appearance while on vacation. The committee cleared the room and went into executive session; no public testimony was taken for that agenda item.
The committee did not disclose the substance of the executive-session briefing in the public record at the time the meeting moved behind closed doors.
