OHA board approves proclamation for cultural leader and adopts staff positions across nine legislative matrices

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs board on March 19 approved a resolution honoring the lifetime service and cultural leadership of Robert Uluvei and voted to adopt staff positions for the 2026 legislative session across nine matrices presented by the Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment committee.

Board members heard a public comment from Kapulani Lang, director of a campus gallery, who asked the board to recognize Robert Uluvei’s contributions and an exhibition honoring his work. The chair moved the proclamation; a roll-call vote yielded eight yes votes and the motion passed.

Following the proclamation, Committee Chair Trustee Galuteria presented the committee’s recommendations on policy positions for bills and measures grouped into nine legislative matrices covering topics such as the public land trust, natural resources and traditional practices, Native Hawaiian housing, health, education, economic stability and historic preservation. The board approved the matrices by a series of roll-call votes; most motions recorded eight yes votes, and the final matrix (on historic preservation, HRS chapter 6E) passed with seven yes votes and one abstention.

Why it matters: The matrices set OHA’s stated positions for dozens of bills at the Legislature and guide staff advocacy and testimony. Trustees noted the importance of communicating these positions to legislative partners and beneficiaries.

The board took no further action on the matters during the meeting beyond recording the approvals.