Nahale-a appointed to UH Board of Regents

Gov. Josh Green named three new interim appointees for the University of Hawaii’s Board of Regents, with Alapaki Nahale-a selected for Hawaii County.

The term will begin on July 1 and is a five-year appointment, subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

Nahale-a is the CEO of the Global Resiliency Hub at ‘Iole in Kohala, where the hub is modeling how regenerative governance can create a world that is sustainable and regenerative.

Nahale-a has spent more than 30 years serving the community, including as director and chair of the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and as senior director of community engagement and resources for Hawaii Island at Kamehameha Schools.

Born and raised in Hilo, Nahale-a is a 1986 graduate of Kamehameha Schools and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania.

Nahale-a will join Wayne Higaki as a Hawaii County regent.

Green’s interim appointees came from a list of finalists presented by the Candidate Advisory Council.

Also appointed were former Gov. Neil Abercrombie to fill a Honolulu County seat, and attorney Lauren Akitake to fill a Maui County seat.

The Board of Regents is the governing body of UH and consists of 11 noncompensated volunteer members.

Representation includes five from the City and County of Honolulu, two from Hawaii County, two from Maui County, one from Kauai County, and one UH student.