OHA manages a trust fund financed largely by revenues from "ceded lands," the property formerly controlled by the Hawaiian kingdom that was ceded to the U.S. government when the monarchy was overthrown and Hawai'i was annexed. And although the trustees direct spending toward programs that primarily benefit Native Hawaiians, court decisions dictate that anyone, regardless of ancestry, may seek office and vote in elections.

The public may vote in all OHA races, regardless of where they live in Hawai'i, although trustees representing particular islands must live there.

Moloka'i-Lana'i trustee Colette Machado and Kaua'i-Ni'ihau member Donald Cataluna are getting a free ride: They are re-elected this year without a challenge. Trustees Dante Carpenter (O'ahu), Boyd Mossman (Maui) and three at-large members — Rowena Akana, Oswald Stender and John Waihe'e IV — each have two years remaining in their terms.

Apoliona's re-election bid for her at-large seat is the most aggressive, judging by reports filed with the Campaign Spending Commission that show just over $25,000 spent so far.

According to the commission, none of her opponents — Kau'i Hill, Frankie Kawelo and John Sabey — indicated plans to spend more than $1,000, which excuses them from filing detailed reports.

But it's Dela Cruz who faces the most contentious challenge, with six rivals seeking her spot. Nevertheless, Dela Cruz is keeping the lowest profile of anyone in the race, reporting an outlay of only $32 toward her re-election.

OHA campaigns usually aren't big-spender territory. Most of Dela Cruz's opponents are spending under $1,000, according to the commission.

The lone exception is Dickie Nelson, who served as a liaison under former Gov. Ben Cayetano and is an independent consultant working with ministries. His campaign reportedly has spent $10,811, financed mostly with the candidate's personal loans.

The history of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement has been one of some discord on the question of how a sovereign nation should be constituted, whether as a "nation within a nation" as proposed in the so-called Akaka bill for federal recognition or as an entity independent of the U.S. government.

The twin themes of nationhood and unification dominate the responses to a question about the top challenge facing Hawaiians in a candidate survey conducted by The Advertiser.

In the resulting voters' guide published Sunday, Nelson ranked "building our nation and gaining the trust of our people" as the leading issue.

Dela Cruz and Kaliko Chun, a community liaison to state Sen. Lorraine Inouye, did not answer the survey. When called by The Advertiser this week, Dela Cruz said the leading concerns were "the Akaka bill and building a new nation."

Chun told The Advertiser in a telephone interview that Hawaiians' chief challenge is "our sovereignty and how to receive justice for our rights that have been trampled." She emphasized that she favors independence but would not oppose federal recognition as a "transitional" step.

Jackie Burke, who edits and publishes a news journal, said the chief challenge to the Hawaiian community is "organizing itself into a nation without federal recognition policies like the Akaka bill," a goal she said that OHA should pursue with more "open and inclusive leadership."

Three candidates ranked the unification of the Hawaiian community as the top concern:

• Louis Hao, who worked as an executive assistant to various Maui mayors and an OHA veteran with 10 years on the board.

• Reynolds Kamakawiwo'ole, owner of a private security firm.

• Kahea Kinimaka-Stocksdale, a social worker for the state Health Department.

In the at-large race, finding accord among Hawaiians was also rated tops in the surveys submitted by Apoliona and Hill.

Sabey, a real-estate salesman, landlord and pianist, said "the greatest challenge for the Hawaiian community is to convince the rest of the ethnic groups in Hawai'i to become independent of USA."

Kawelo, a musician, neither answered the survey nor returned a call for comment.

Hill, better known as the comic Bu La'ia, also could not be reached for comment.

However, Hill, who this week was sentenced to probation and community service for harassment and resisting arrest in a Hilo altercation, appears to have backed away from the race.

In a candidate's forum televised Oct. 7 on PBS-Hawai'i, Hill said he was supporting Apoliona and would run in two years.