OHA confirms administrator on personal leave and ratifies Summer Silva as interim administrator

After meeting in executive session for legal updates on pending litigation, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board returned to open session and voted on personnel actions involving the agency’s administrator. Trustees confirmed that Administrator Stacy Ferrera will be on personal leave in lieu of administrative leave pending the completion of an investigation and confirmed the interim appointment of Summer Silva as interim administrator with a temporary paid assignment.

The decision followed public testimony from beneficiaries who raised procedural concerns and cautioned trustees to protect due process and fairness. Trustees debated whether ratifying the interim appointment and confirming the leave designation should be handled in open session to address procedural questions raised in pending litigation; board counsel advised re‑voting in public to moot claims that an earlier executive‑session appointment had been improper. The board recorded roll‑call votes for both items; the personal‑leave confirmation and the interim appointment were both affirmed by majority vote.

Board counsel said no further public comments or disciplinary determinations were announced during the session and that legal counsel provided advice about ongoing litigation. Trustees directed staff to follow personnel‑policy procedures and to report any material developments to the board.