Every election, whether it results in a win, loss, or a redo, marks only the beginning of a series of actions, shifts, and adjustments within the elected body. We’ve already seen this play out at the legislative level, such as when former Representative Scott Saiki lost, and Representative Nadine Nakamura took over as House Speaker.
One governmental body that didn’t get much attention, no matter who won, was the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Most of those who were running for OHA were incumbents, with the thought that the leadership of OHA would stay in the hands of veteran Carmen Hulu Lindsey, the current Maui Trustee, or another veteran trustee.
PC: “Kai Kahele” by Kai Kahele is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
So it came as some surprise to this humble blogger when, on December 4, it was announced that newly elected Trustee Kai Kahele would be the new Chairman of OHA. Typically Chairs of any governmental body are given to members who have had some time in service before being chosen.
Introducing someone entirely new is generally discouraged in Hawai‘i’s governmental bodies. However, what was once frowned upon – appointing a new chair – became more appealing with Kahele as a candidate.
And no wonder, considering his pedigree.
Son to Gil Kahele, with whom the younger Kahele worked closely on his campaigns, he got appointed to Dad’s Senate seat to serve out his term after Gil passed. Eyeballed by those in political circles as an up-and-coming leader in Hawai‘i, Kai went on to serve one term in the United States House of Representatives, serving the 2nd congressional district of Hawai‘i from 2021 to 2023.
Kahele’s decision to return to Hawai‘i and run for governor against Democrat Josh Green was seen by some as a risky gamble that didn’t pay off. His response to losing the primary – staying silent on primary night and skipping the Democratic Party of Hawaii’s Unity Breakfast the following Sunday – raised questions about his political future.
Typically, moves like running in a Democratic primary as a rebel against the party’s preferred choice, followed by skipping the Unity Breakfast after being vanquished, are seen as at least an unexcused absence from a mandatory event. In Kai’s case, with the ‘rebel’ label already attached, he probably earned some demerits from the party faithful for his ‘tude.
PC: “Clayton Hee” by ThinkTech Hawaii is licensed under CC BY 3.0.
Well, considering the rebound that Kai has made in regaining an elected office and a leadership role, the value of those demerits seems diminished in the modern political era of Hawai‘i.
With such a rebound of significance – considering that he could do big things with his leadership role in OHA, moving the various causes of the Hawaiian community forward with his drive and both local and national connections – he could very well see his political fortunes rehabilitated.
However, to this pundit, what we may also be seeing is Kahele being given a test to see if he has the skills to be a good executive leader in government. Unlike being a legislator, where a person is just one of many, the OHA chair is more of an executive who directs and lays out visions and plans for others to follow.
If he can do that and keep the Trustee board together, while also answering questions like what to do about Kaka‘ako Makai, all while endearing himself to the larger community of Hawai‘i residents that are not Kānaka Maoli by blood, then Hawai‘i may see Kahele again serve in higher office through election to executive positions – Mayor and Governor.
Ultimately, Kai Kahele’s political future hinges on how well he performs as OHA Chair. Time and action, though, will tell if this is the start of his political comeback.