HONOLULU — The chief executive of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs says he’s moving forward after a disagreement with the organization’s trustees over seeking clarification on the legal status of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
CEO Kamanaopono Crabbe told reporters Monday he stands behind a letter he sent to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry last week, seeking a legal opinion on whether the kingdom continues to exist under international law.
After revealing the letter, all nine trustees signed a different note to Kerry saying Crabbe’s letter doesn’t reflect their position or the agency’s.
Crabbe says he thought he had the blessing of the board’s chairwoman before sharing the letter publicly. He says he believes answers to the questions in the letter are crucial for moving forward with pursuing a Native Hawaiian governing entity.