Former State Homeless Czar To Head Office Of Hawaiian Affairs As Interim CEO

Colin Kippen will lead OHA after Sylvia Hussey steps down June 30.

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Colin Kippen will lead OHA after Sylvia Hussey steps down June 30.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chief Executive Officer Sylvia Hussey is leaving the agency at the end of next week “to focus on her personal and ‘ohana health,” OHA announced in a news release Friday.

OHA Office of Hawaiian Affairs CEO Sylvia Hussey listens to OHA Chair Lindsey as she discusses the results of a recent forensic audit during a press conference.
OHA CEO Sylvia Hussey, right, is stepping down June 30. (Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022)

She has served as CEO since December 2019, spending much time reorganizing the staff and filling numerous vacancies. The release credits Hussey with improving the agency’s financial transparency and implementing new policies.

“Sylvia has worked tirelessly to lead this organization and support its mission and our beneficiaries. While we are saddened by this news, we wish Sylvia the best in her future endeavors and we cannot thank her enough for the contributions she has made to the lāhui,” said OHA Board Chair Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey in the release.

Colin Kippen. editorial board. 13 march 2015. photograph Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Colin Kippen will serve as OHA’s interim CEO. (Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2015)

Colin Kippen, a former trial lawyer who served as the state’s homeless director, was named interim CEO. He’s currently serving as the OHA Board of Trustees’ chief of staff.

OHA expects to fill the CEO position on a permanent basis by the end of the year. It retained Kumabe HR to help trustees recruit and select a new CEO.

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