KAILUA-KONA — Bishop Museum CEO Blair Collis resigned, but the museum is not saying why he chose to do so.
The museum’s board has appointed LindaLee Kuuleilani “Cissy” Farm as interim president and CEO, the board said in a press release Friday. She is an attorney specializing in commercial litigation, a member of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation review committee, and a Historic Hawaii Foundation board member.
In January, the museum announced they would be selling the 547 acres in Waipio Valley and the 15-acre Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook. The two were reportedly valued at $10 million.
The garden closed on Jan. 31, leaving local residents scrambling for a way to keep the historical site open. Residents continue to brainstorm ways to manage both areas for the future. Collis said at the time the Honolulu-based museum wanted to find a better steward for the land on the Big Island.
Collis was with the museum for 13 years, starting as the director of the Bishop Museum Press in 2003. He became president and CEO in June 2011. His last day will be Friday.
“It has been an honor to have served Bishop Museum over the last 13 years and particularly as president and CEO over the last five years,” Collis said in the press release. “I am leaving to pursue new opportunities knowing the museum is in strong and capable hands. I wish the very best to the board of directors and staff of this amazing institution.”
Questions about why he was resigning were directed to the press release, which didn’t address his reasons. His replacement will be determined by a nationwide search.
“The Board of Directors of the Bishop Museum want to thank Blair for his many years of service to the museum. We wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Allison Holt Gendreau, Chair of the Museum Board of Directors.
“The Board is pleased that Cissy Farm has agreed to take on the interim role and we are confident that she will be able to effectively guide the museum during this transitional period,” Gendreau added.