HONOLULU — Office of Hawaiian Affairs CEO Kamanaopono Crabbe says he will seek approval from the agency’s trustees to refrain from pursuing a Native Hawaiian governing entity.

Crabbe says the agency would put nation building efforts on hold until officials are able to confirm the Hawaiian Kingdom doesn’t continue to exist under international law.

Crabbe outlined his proposal in a May 5 letter to Secretary of State John Kerry. The agency released a copy of the letter Friday.

The letter says an analysis from scholars alleging federal and state governments are illegal regimes has raised concerns. The analysis says OHA trustees and Native Hawaiian Roll Commission members may be criminally liable under international law.

Crabbe is asking the State Department to request an opinion from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel.