Office of Hawaiian Affairs board Chairwoman Haunani Apoliona held off a challenge from former OHA deputy administrator Colin Kippen last night, winning her fourth term.

With Kippen hitting hard against Apoliona and OHA's current administration, the race was seen as a referendum on the policy direction of the agency, which has been a lightning rod for Hawaiian issues.

Three other incumbents on yesterday's ballot also easily won re-election: Bob Lindsey, Colette Machado and Don Cataluna.

Kippen, who ran a late series of TV and radio ads featuring supporters that included OHA trustee Rowena Akana and Hawaiian activist Dennis "Bumpy" Pu'uhonua Kanahele, questioned OHA's spending priorities.

Among his criticism was that millions of dollars were being spent on the Mainland in support of pushing through a bill in Congress federally recognizing a Hawaiian government entity, although Kippen said he supports what has come to be known as the Akaka bill.

Apoliona said the money spent on advocacy of the Akaka bill and the Kau Inoa registry are justified, and based on priorities set by the entire nine-member board. In addition, the OHA administration said it has been the most transparent in its nearly three-decade history.

Running behind Apoliona and Kippen for the at-large seat were Helene Honda, a counselor from McCully, and Sol Nalua'i, a Kane'ohe scientist.

On the Big Isle, incumbent Lindsey beat William (Willy) Meyers, a mental health technician.

For the Moloka'i-Lana'i seat, incumbent Machado of Puko'o beat back a challenge by Waipa Purdy, an airline customer service agent. Machado is a longtime community activist.

Cataluna, a retired plantation executive and Koloa resident, needed only one vote cast for him to return to the board.

All registered Hawai'i voters are eligible to vote in the four OHA elections, regardless of residency or ethnic background. That's a consequence of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Rice v. Cayetano eight years ago, which opened OHA elections to all voters. Previously, only Hawaiian voters were eligible.

But a large number of Isle voters chose not to take part in the OHA elections: 50 percent didn't vote in the Moloka'i-Lana'i race, 45 percent in the Big Island race, 44.5 percent in the Kaua'i race and 31 percent in the at-large race.

Trustees serve four-year terms.

The seats for the other five trustees — at-large members Akana, Oswald Stender and John Waihe'e IV; O'ahu trustee Walter Heen; and Maui trustee Boyd Mossman — are up in 2010.