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In compliance with Hawaii’s new anti-nepotism law, a second Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee who oversees her daughter is seeking a new position. This law applies to all state employees except those in the state Legislature and Judiciary.
Luana Alapa, OHA Trustee for Molokai, currently supervises her daughter who works as an aide, which goes against the spirit of the anti-nepotism law passed by the Legislature. However, Alapa intends to fulfill the requirements of the new law by finding her daughter a new position, according to sources within OHA.
OHA Trustee Brickwood Galuteria, who also supervises his daughter, was the first state employee to request an exemption to the anti-nepotism law. Unfortunately, his request was denied by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission on July 20. However, the commission granted him a three-month extension to find his daughter a new role or supervisor in order to comply with the law. This law is part of a broader effort to improve ethics transparency, particularly following the bribery and corruption charges made against former state Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English and House Rep. Ty J.K. Cullen during the 2022 legislative session.
Keli’i Akina, an OHA Trustee, commented on Galuteria and Alapa’s situation, stating that both trustees are taking steps to comply with the Ethics Commission and resolve the issue. Akina emphasized the importance of high ethical standards from public leaders while also avoiding any appearance of impropriety.
Robert D. Harris, the executive director and general counsel of the Ethics Commission, stated that he was unsure whether Alapa had applied for an exemption like Galuteria. Harris also couldn’t comment on any potential investigations or complaints regarding Alapa’s daughter’s hiring, as the commission cannot disclose ongoing investigations.
Regarding the new anti-nepotism law, OHA Interim CEO Colin Kippen confirmed that OHA trustees have been notified of the adopted law, but further details on personnel matters cannot be discussed.
The Ethics Commission voted to give state employees until September 11 to find new roles or supervisors for family members during its July 19 meeting. The law does allow for exemptions in rural communities faced with employee shortages, such as health clinics on neighbor islands.
Violations of the law can result in penalties, depending on the frequency of the violation. Administrative fines for each violation are capped at $1,000. Other potential penalties include reprimands, probation, demotion, suspension, and termination.