About Us

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) is a member-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to enhance the cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians. 

We uplift lāhui.

Headquartered in Kapolei, CNHA is a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified by the U.S. Treasury department and a HUD-Certified Housing Counseling agency. We provide access to capital, financial education and individualized financial counseling services with a focus on low and moderate-income families. CNHA serves as a National Intermediary, providing grants and loans targeting underserved communities in Hawaiʻi.

Meet the people behind CNHA’s work on community development

The Executive Board & Directors

Michelle Kauhane

Kapolei Community Development Corporation (President)

Makalika Naholowa‘a

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (Vice President)

Kevin Chang

Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo (Treasurer)

Miki‘ala Lidstone

Ulu Aʻe Learning Center (Secretary)

Adrienne Dillard

Kula No Nā Poʻe Hawaiʻi

Jeff Gilbreath

Hawaiian Community Lending

Andrew Ah Po

Kānaka Maoli O Kaleponi, Inc

Rob Van Tassell

Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi

The Executive Team

Kūhiō Lewis

Kūhiō Lewis

Chief Executive Officer

Jade Carrel

Jade Carrel

Chief Financial Officer

Executive Department

Nick Carroll

Nick Carroll

Chief of Staff

Alana Song

General Counsel

William Brennan

Associate General Counsel

Culture

Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu

Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu

Cultural Ambassador

Mehanaokala Hind

Mehanaokala Hind

Senior Advisor to CEO

Kilohana

Tyler Gomes

Tyler Gomes

Chief Administrator

Kainalu Severson

Kainalu Severson

Deputy Administrator

Daniel Ikaika Ito

Daniel Ikaika Ito

Communications & Marketing Director

Kauʻi Arce

Kauʻi Arce

Destination Stewardship Director

Jon Peahl

Jon Peahl

Quality Assurance Manager

Kahanu Cuban

Kahanu Cuban

Program Specialist

Nadine Hokulani Pomroy

Nadine Hokulani Pomroy

Executive Assistant

Community Programs

Kahealani Peleras

Kahealani Peleras

Community Programs Director

Visa Castillo

Visa Castillo

Member Services Director

Max Mukai

Max Mukai

KūHana Business Program Manager

Kane Lindsey

Kane Lindsey

Trades Program Manager

Leona Hosea

Leona Hosea

Housing Counselor

Daniel Iaela

Daniel Iaela

CDL Instructor

Kolealani Razon-Olds

Kolealani Razon-Olds

Community Outreach Coordinator

Advocacy

Madelyn McKeague

Madelyn McKeague

Advocacy Specialist

Rufino Magliba

Rufino Magliba

Community Relations

Communications & Media

Kawena Lei Apao

Kawena Lei Apao

Designer & Special Projects Manager

Kaleopaʻa Vares

Kaleopaʻa Vares

Digital Media Strategist

Operations

Kamuela Barr

Kamuela Barr

Sr. Director of Operations

Kahlia Crummer

Kahlia Crummer

EFA Director

Sean Hauki-Williams

Sean Hauki-Williams

EFA Program Manager

Loan Fund

Richard Medeiros

Richard Medeiros

Loan Fund Director

Joan Abaricia

Joan Abaricia

Loan Underwriter

Michiyo Pendleton

Michiyo Pendleton

Loan Underwriter

Accounting

Jacob Chu-Hing

Jacob Chu-Hing

Assistant Controller

Kalei Maunakea

Kalei Maunakea

Program Analyst

Jonathan Ramirez

Jonathan Ramirez

Accountant

Leia Seguancia

Leia Seguancia

Accounting Specialist

Vandeau Solomon

Vandeau Solomon

Accountant

Working together to serve our community.

As a driver of change and solutions, CNHA knows that the collective impact is greater when communities come together and find ways to complement the work that we do. CNHA and The Hawaiian Trades Academy appreciates all of its sponsors, partners, and industry professionals who helped support the delivery of our training programs.

MAHALO NUI LOA!

What We Do

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Rent & Mortgage Relief

We can help you find the resources you need for your ʻohana to thrive -from mortage to utilities and assistance programs.

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Kilohana

Kilohana is a collaborative of complementary change agents committed to fulfilling HTA’s vision and specific directives.

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Community Programs

Our community programs work with members of our community to develop the skills and resources needed to thrive.

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Join Our Community

Become a CNHA member to get the opportunity to join other kānaka in lifting, empowering and inspiring our lāhui.

Join our mission and help us provide powerful support for our community to develop and thrive.