Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 10, 1 October 2011 — OHA executives share spotlight at convention [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA executives share spotlight at convention

By Harold Nedd The Office of Hawaiian Affairs offered the broadest look ever at the agency's senior management team to a crowd attending the Native Hawaiian Convention. Introducing an executive team anchored by Chief Operating Officer Richard Pezzulo, OHA Chairperson Colette Machado called on the heads of the key business lines to join her on the podium, where they spoke briefly about their respective roles in renewed efforts to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians. Pezzulo prefaced his remarks to the crowd of an estimated 1,000 people at the Hawai'i Convention Center by acknowledging OHA Chief Executive Officer Clyde Nāmu'o, who was unahle to attend. Pezzulo, who oversees the day-to-day operation at OHA, also spoke about the recent reorganization, saying that it was aimed at producing measurable results for Native Hawaiians. "We have completely changed our structure from a topic-based organization to a functionbased agency with four lines of business: Resource Management, Community Relations, Research and Advocacy," Pezzulo said. In her remarks, Director of Community Relations Denise Iseri-Matsubara provided a brief

overview of her responsibilities, whieh include overseeing OHA's media presence and making sure its efforts get puhlie recognition. She also directs the Transitional Assistance Program, whieh is essentially all of OHA's grants and loans. Chief Advocate Esther Kia'āina highlighted her role in directing puhlie policy, community outreach and eomplianee programs at OHA. With her address, she painted her staff at OHA as bringing new attention, needed resources and a strong political voice to issues important to Native Hawaiians. Director of Research Kamana'opono Crabbe also offered a clear view of programs in his department, whieh consists of three areas: Demography; Land, Culture and History; and Special Projects. Crabbe summed up his department's role as key to gathering evidence needed to make sound decisions that allow OHA to engage policymakers in its work, create puhlie awareness and build community support. Chief Financial Officer Hawley Alamodin was the last of the five senior-level executives to speak about their responsibilities at OHA, where she is credited with bringing a strong Ananeial background to overseeing finances and investments, as well as land and property management. She is also tasked with regulating the flow of information within and among OHA offices. ■

OHA executives Chief Operating Officer Richard Pezzulo, Community Relations Director Denise lseri-Matsubara, Chief Advocate Esther Kia'āina, Research Director Kamana'opono Crabbe and Chief Financial Officer Hawley Alamodin. - Photos: Harold Nedd