The Hawaii Tourism Authority has appointed a new director of cultural affairs about six months after the abrupt ouster of the previous director drew criticism from the Native Hawaiian community.

Kalani Kaanaana, 29, assumed the post Monday. Before joining HTA, Kaanaana served as coordinator of clinical health and community programs in the Native Hawaiian Health Program at The Queen’s Health Systems.

“I was drawn to this position because of its significance to the Hawaiian community and to all the people of Hawaii. I see the responsibilities as a great opportunity to promote increased dialogue and collaboration, and to elevate our native culture authentically in our largest industry,” Kaanaana said in a news release.

As director, Kaanaana is responsible for ensuring that Hawaiian culture is taken into consideration in the HTA’s decisions and its marketing. He also will serve as a liaison between the HTA and members of the Native Hawaiian community, among other duties.

George D. Szigeti, the HTA’s president and CEO, said, “Kalani is deeply committed to the Hawaiian culture on a personal, community and educational level. He brings to HTA a vision and energy that will help guide us in supporting programs and issues that are key to perpetuating our islands’ native culture.”

Kaanaana replaces Keli‘i Wilson, a Native Hawaiian whose parents were pioneers in the Hawaiian language immersion program. Kaanaana was identified by the executive search firm Bishop &Co., which was paid $15,000 by the HTA. Kaanaana will make $75,000 annually.

Former HTA Board Chairman Aaron J. Sala, Native Hawaiian advocate Vicky Holt Takamine and Burton White, chief development officer for the Pa‘i Foundation, criticized the board in January over Wilson’s abrupt dismissal. Takamine told the board in January that Wilson built HTA’s Hawaiian program from a $50,000 afterthought to a $10 million endeavor, strengthening the relationship between the authority and the Hawaiian community.

The board declined to discuss Wilson’s departure, saying it was a personnel matter. Takamine said Kaanaana will have big shoes to fill, but she’s confident in his ability to serve as a strong advocate for the Hawaiian community.

“Of the four choices brought to the HTA, he was clearly the most compelling,” said Takamine, who assisted the HTA in evaluating finalists during the interview process.

Kaanaana graduated from Kailua High School and from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Hawaiian language and Hawaiian studies, according to the HTA. He is fluent in Hawaiian and served as a student marshal for the Hawaiinuiakea College of Hawaiian Knowledge. Kaanaana also served as a legislative aide to state Reps. Ken Ito and Pono Chong.

Takamine said Kaanaana’s connections and experience will serve him well.

“Of course, he’ll be in the hot seat for a little while. Keli‘i raised a lot of funding for Native Hawaiian programs, and she was such a strong voice for Hawaiian culture. But I expect his voice will be strong, too,” Takamine said. “I think he’ll be a strong advocate rather than a pushover.”