There’s been more maneuvering behind the scenes of the Aloha Aina Party, the first Hawaiian political party in modern state history.

Earlier posts here commented on the unusual status of the party, which was created as a limited liability corporation rather than as a nonprofit organization similar to most other political parties.

Now three documents have been filed with the state’s Business Registration Division, all on Friday, October 30. As a result of these moves, the former Aloha Aina Party LLC is no more, and has now been converted into a new nonprofit organization, Aloha Aina Party of Hawaii.

The first document to be prepared was “Articles of Conversion,” which authorized the former Aloha Aina Party LLC to morph into the new Aloha Aina Party of Hawaii, a nonprofit corporation. It was signed by Daniel B. Decker IV as the authorized member of the LLC on October 21, 2020, but was not filed with the state Business Registration Division until October 30, after the next document–the “Articles of Incorporation” for the new nonprofit entity, had also been filed. The “Articles of Conversion” indicates Decker was the only authorized member eligible to vote for the conversion.

I think the next step was to create the Aloha Aina Party of Hawaii as a nonprofit organization by filing its “Articles of Incorporation.” The Articles of Incorporation identify Herbert “Pua” Ishibashi of Hilo as the organization’s registered agent. Ishibashi was one of the original founders of the party as an LLC, ran unsuccessfully for Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Hawaii Island trustee, and then rejoined the LLC after his campaign was over. The Articles of Incorporation are signed by Daniel B Decker IV as the sole incorporator. The document was signed and dated on October 29, 2020, and filed with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs the following day. A copy was then attached and filed with “Articles of Conversion” on October 30.

Finally, the third form, filed with the Business Registration Division at 5 p.m. on October 30, updated the officers of the newly created Aloha Aina Party of Hawaii. Landis W. Ornellas, Jr. is identified holding positions of president, director, chairman of the board, and CEO. Decker is listed as secretary, treasurer, and director. And Carmen Medina is listed as a director.

The form includes this statement: “I certify under the penalties of the Hawaii Revised Statutes that I am authorized to make this change for the entity and the statements herein are true and correct in all material respects.”

It was signed by Decker on October 30.

However, despite these legal changes, the Aloha Aina Party LLC still appears to be the only entity registered with the Campaign Spending Commission and the Office of Elections, even though it now appears the LLC no longer legally exists. Both agencies still list Donald Kaulia as the party chair, but that is a carry over from an earlier slate of officials. Kaulia is no longer among those authorized to act on behalf of the new nonprofit party.

Sorting out this messy situation is going to be a challenge for those who would like to see this political party have a future.

And it does not appear the party garnered sufficient votes in the General Election to remain on the ballot in future elections.

See:

“Aloha Aina Party facing questions as election approaches,” October 19, 2020.

“Go ask your CIA operatives,” said the Aloha Aina Party chair, October 20, 2020.

“It’s an LLC…It’s a political party…It’s two things in one!” October 21, 2020.