Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees advance chance to expand Native Hawaiian ownership in media

Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees on June 25 voted to advance further evaluation and due diligence regarding a potential acquisition involving KITV and KIKU, a historic opportunity to expand Native Hawaiian ownership in the state’s media industry.

Board members recognize the proposal as a rare and potentially transformational opportunity aligned with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs long-term fiduciary responsibilities to Native Hawaiians and future generations.

“At its core, the discussion is about whether Native Hawaiians are willing to lead boldly in the spaces that shape public understanding and public discourse and whether we are prepared to responsibly explore opportunities that could materially change that reality for future generations,” said Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Chairperson Kaialiʻi “Kai” Kahele in an office release about the decision.

Trustees emphasized that the action is not the conclusion of a process. Rather it is continuing a thoughtful and deliberate evaluation of whether this opportunity can responsibly strengthen the agency’s trust assets while expanding Native Hawaiian presence, influence and ownership in media and communications.

Trustees noted that stewardship of a public trust requires not only protecting existing resources but positioning those resources to grow, diversify and endure.

A media acquisition of this scale presents multiple difficult-to-replicate potential benefits:

• Diversification and long-term growth of revenue streams supporting Native Hawaiian programs and priorities.
• Expanded capacity to elevate Native Hawaiian stories, voices and perspectives in mainstream media.
• Greater visibility and normalization of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, ʻike Hawaiʻi and Native Hawaiian values throughout public platforms.
• Development of workforce and leadership pathways in journalism, communications, production and technology.
• Opportunities to improve the accuracy, dignity and fairness of Native Hawaiian representation in public discourse.

Trustees further emphasized that Office of Hawaiian Affairs is uniquely positioned to responsibly evaluate opportunities of this scale because of its independent fiduciary obligations, quasi-autonomous governance structure and long-term trust responsibilities.

The board acknowledged any proposal involving significant trust assets must be subjected to rigorous financial, operational, legal and governance review. Transparency, accountability and data-informed decision-making will remain central moving forward.

“[Office of Hawaiian Affairs’] responsibility is not simply to manage present-day challenges, but to help create future opportunities,” said Office of Hawaiian Affairs Investment and Land Management Committee Chairperson Keoni Souza in the release. “Thoughtful exploration of transformative opportunities is entirely consistent with our kuleana as fiduciaries.”

Board members also recognize the historic significance of the broader conversation now taking place within the Native Hawaiian community about ownership, institutional capacity, economic self-determination and representation.

“This moment reflects a larger question about who we aspire to become as a lāhui,” Kahele said. “The willingness to thoughtfully evaluate bold opportunities is not recklessness — it is leadership grounded in vision, responsibility and intergenerational stewardship. The struggle for our future has always been, in part, a struggle over information, ideas and who can tell the story. I’m happy the board believes this opportunity deserves a thorough and professional evaluation.”