OHA board reports executive-session update on Ferrer litigation; no action taken

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees held an executive session Feb. 25 to receive counsel on pending legal matters related to the case "Stacy Kila Halani Ferrer v. the Office of Hawaiian Affairs." In open session the chair reported the board received an "updated information" briefing regarding the board's powers, duties, privileges, immunities and liabilities in that matter, and discussed joint-defense agreements and confidentiality requirements. No action was taken during the executive session.

Chair Kahele reported the summary after the closed portion: "In executive session, the board met and received an updated information regarding its powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities with respect to matters relating to Stacy Kila Halani Ferrer versus the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, including but not limited to, joint defense agreements and confidentiality requirements," the chair said in open session.

Why it matters: The board’s acknowledgment indicates legal counsel briefed trustees about the institution’s legal posture and coordination mechanisms in litigation. The chair also confirmed that no executive-session action was taken, and that the board approved two sets of executive-session minutes for prior meetings during the closed session.

Next steps: The chair scheduled the next public board meeting for March 5, 2026, and standing committee meetings for March 4; trustees were instructed to expect frequent committee-level sessions while the legislature is active.

Provenance: The executive-session report and the phrase naming the case appear in the public reconvening reported to the board in open session.