FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SOCIAL
CNHA began implementing social enterprise models to further its mission of Native Hawaiian community development, and in particular, job creation in the technology field in partnership with community associations in 2003. Partnered with a dozen Indian Nations and their business arms, the nonprofit and its social enterprise now employ 29 staff at three sites located on Hawaiian Home Lands.
"It’s been a terrific journey and a tremendous experience to bring business concepts to a social mission," said Robin Puanani Danner, CNHA President & CEO. "Senator Inouye challenged a group of Native leaders from all across the country in 2002 to work together and to bring jobs to our respective communities. We're following that advice and he was right, we can do it."
HHT partners with the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations (SCHHA), a statewide consortium of more than 20 community associations in homesteads created by Prince Kuhio and the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Each community association is trained in document conversion methodologies and manages the facility site and staff. Through private and public partnerships and mentoring, technology training is delivered by local community colleges, with equipment and training costs supported in part by American Savings Bank and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
"The expansion and extension of the technology industry to Papakolea is definitely a milestone for HHT and our community association partners," remarked Myron Thompson, HHT President. "Job creation is high on our list of priorities and we are proving that rural areas of
HHT is partnered with 12 Indian and Alaska Native tribes. The consortium is certified by the Small Business Administration Native 8(a) program that assists Tribal and Native community firms contract with the federal government. HHT is a community-based economic development and social enterprise initiative of CNHA, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit with more than 140 members working in Native Hawaiian communities. All profits from HHT are invested back into the community-based initiatives. For more information about HHT, please contact us via telephone at 808.523.6447, or e-mail us at info@hhtech.net or visit www.hhtech.net.
###
Media Contact:
Phone: 808.521.5011 or 800.709.2642
www.hawaiiancouncil.org
www.hawaiianwayfund.org
www.anapacific.org
www.dhhlhoap.org
www.hhtech.net