Office of Hawaiian Affairs plans a series of televised candidate forums featuring candidates seeking the five Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees seats in the 2026 Nov. 3 general election.

Forums will be presented in partnership with ʻŌlelo Community Media and Hawaiʻi’s local media networks, pre-recorded Oct. 3 and then broadcast statewide during the week of Oct. 12, providing broad public access.

Featured will be candidates for the Oʻahu, Maui and three at-large trustee seats. All eligible candidates were invited to participate.

The forums are designed to provide voters and agency beneficiaries an opportunity to hear directly from candidates about issues, their priorities and the visions they would bring to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs governing board.

Each participant will have an opportunity to address voters directly, discuss their qualifications and priorities as well as explain how they would work to protect Native Hawaiian rights and resources while advancing the Office of Hawaiian Affairs mission.

They will focus on significant issues affecting Native Hawaiians and Office of Hawaiian Affairs, including military-leased lands, government accountability, advocacy for Native Hawaiian rights and resources, consultation with Native Hawaiian organizations and beneficiaries as well as other matters of importance to the lāhui.

“These forums reflect [Office of Hawaiian Affairs’] commitment to ensuring voters have access to meaningful information as they select the leaders who will set policy, ensure sound governance and discharge [Office of Hawaiian Affairs] constitutional and statutory responsibilities as the principal public agency responsible for Native Hawaiian affairs,” said Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Chairperson Kaialiʻi “Kai” Kahele in an office release. “By bringing candidates together to discuss issues important to Native Hawaiians, we hope to foster informed civic engagement and encourage thoughtful participation in this year’s election.”

Additional information about forum broadcast schedules, viewing platforms and formats will be announced in coming weeks.