The Hawaii Tribune-Herald has this item on geothermal investment by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Excerpt:

Less than two weeks after Hawaii Electric Light Co. selected Ormat Technologies to build the Big Island’s next geothermal power plant, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is declining to answer questions regarding its investment in a company that submitted a competing bid, claiming that information is confidential.

The OHA Board of Trustees voted in April 2013 to invest $1.25 million, with an upfront contribution of $600,000, in the Huena Power Consortium, according to Innovations Development Group, the Native Hawaiian-owned company that formed the geothermal hui and made the funding request.

But the vote was conducted in a closed-door meeting known as an executive session, sources at OHA confirmed, meaning there is no public record of the actual decision.

Citing attorney-client privilege and the matter being discussed behind closed doors, OHA officials repeatedly declined to answer questions regarding the status of the investment or, for that matter, even officially acknowledge a vote took place. …

The Tribune-Herald adds that, with OHA officials declining to answer questions, “it remains unclear how much actually was invested and if there are any funds that might be returned to the state agency.”

The Hilo newspaper has submitted a records request for the details.