Zuri Aki was a candidate for the state legislature in the primary election.  He lost.  So now he has returned as a presumably paid columnist at Civil Beat.  

Mr. Aki's "analysis" of the OHA contests is far from unbiased.

Aki was a member of the monthlong meeting which produced a proposed constitution for a proposed Native Hawaiian "nation."  Aki, like all members of the meeting, was paid with money that came from OHA.  Aki has publicly described himself as the proud primary author of the proposed constitution.  OHA board members Apoliona and Lindsey have been pushing for many years to create a race-based Hawaiian "nation." They have spent tens of millions of dollars to get federal recognition for it; and they now hope that Aki's constitution can be approved in a race-based referendum to meet a requirement for fed rec.

Aki is an agent for OHA incumbents Apoliona and Lindsey.  Aki would lose future employment and status at OHA if they lose.  Neither Aki nor Civil Beat is unbiased.