Native Hawaiian Policy Center

CNHA unifies non-governmental organizations and coalitions around solutions for community challenges. By convening community leaders, the Native Hawaiian Policy Center identifies initiatives and policy priorities important to the cultural, economic, and community development of Native Hawaiians. Policy Center initiatives include:

Policy Priorities, Consultation & Community Engagement: CNHA develops its top policy priorities based on the most important issues to community leaders and our member network. Examples include beneficiary consultation, affordable housing credits, workplace giving, and federal recognition. CNHA holds monthly policy calls and coordinates an annual Policy Roundtable and Town Hall Meeting to present its policy priorities and projects. Click to download our policy priorities.

Federal Programs Capacity Project: A six-year strategic plan launched in 2009, this project focuses on increasing Native access to Federal community development and business resources.

Asset-Building Product Development: CNHA members and community leaders identify and develop strategies that build assets in our communities. Examples include an Individual Development Account matched savings product, foreclosure prevention and mitigation initiative, and a statewide Earned Income Tax Credit campaign.

Desktop Reference Guides: Publications and informational guides are valuable resources for community leaders. Examples of these Desktop Reference Guides include topics such as the SBA 8(a) program, Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, and the Native Hawaiian Education Act. Click here to view publications available for purchase.

Native CDFI Network: CNHA provides staff and technical support to national Native and Tribal leaders unified to promote asset-building through Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). CNHA’s President & CEO, Robin Puanani Danner, is the Co-Chair of the Native CDFI Network, along with Tanya Fiddler of Four Bands. In addition, CNHA has been certified as a CDFI by the U.S. Treasury Department and is now eligible to apply for capital to deploy to underserved populations in Hawaii.