HONOLULU — Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has appointed nine initial members of the newly established Oahu Historic Preservation Commission.

What You Need To Know

  • The appointees, who will serve staggered terms, are a mix of Native Hawaiian cultural experts and practitioners, historians, archaeologists, architects and other experts in historic and cultural preservation

  • Once in place, the commission will assist federal, state and city agencies in carrying out historic preservation responsibilities contained in Bill 44

  • The commission was first approved more than 30 years ago but was never stood up. Bill 44 updated the original act and provided fresh impetus to establish and convene the body

The commission was created via Bill 44, introduced by Honolulu City Council member Esther Kiaaina and co-sponsored by council chair Tommy Waters.

The appointees, who will serve staggered terms, are a mix of Native Hawaiian cultural experts and practitioners, historians, archaeologists, architects and other experts in historic and cultural preservation.

They include:

  • Nanea Lo, administrative and programs coordinator for the Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action and host of the podcast Native Stories: initial one-year term.
  • Mahealani Cypher, historian, community advocate and owner of Native Knowledge, LLC: initial two-year term.
  • Hailama Farden, Kamehameha Schools Community Engagement and Resources Group regional director for Kona Oahu: initial two-year term.
  • Kai White, WSP USA lead architectural historian and Federal Emergency Management Agency architectural historian: initial three-year term.
  • Richard Davis, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Cultural Resources Program manager: initial three-year term.
  • N. Mehanaokala Hind, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement senior adviser to the CEO: initial four-year term.
  • Thomas Dye, archaeologist: initial four-year term.
  • Glenn Mason, Mason Architects, Inc., vice president: initial five-year term.
  • Kehaunani Abad, Kanaeokana Network Support kealaiwikuamoo director, filmmaker and author: initial five-year term.

“I have always maintained that the individuals we select to serve on the city’s boards and commissions are extensions of our leadership team, and we treat these appointments with the same sense of responsibility as we would in selecting members of our cabinet,” Blangiardi said. “We are fortunate that so many exceptional candidates, who all possess an incredible love for our island, stepped forward to take on this responsibility. I look forward to working with all of them as we stand up this critically important commission.”

The appointees are subject to final confirmation by the Honolulu City Council.

Once in place, the commission will assist federal, state and city agencies in carrying out historic preservation responsibilities contained in Bill 44. 

The commission was first approved more than 30 years ago but was never stood up. Bill 44 updated the original act and provided fresh impetus to establish and convene the body.

“Mahalo to these community leaders for their willingness to serve to ensure that after 30 years the inaugural Oahu Historic Preservation Commission will be led by highly qualified experts and community grounded individuals,” said Kiaaina said.

Commissioners will also be responsible for recommending historic properties for inclusion in registers of historic places, maintaining an inventory of historic resources and assisting the Department of Planning and Permitting in developing standards and guidelines related to matters affecting historic places.

Administratively, the commission will be attached to the Department of Planning and Permitting.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.