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.

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, 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.