National Policies for Native Needs

CNHA conducts meeting on major national policy issues to increase community’s understanding on national policies issues and provide a forum for questions and comments.  The meetings take place throughout the state of Hawaii on weekends and evenings to garner maximum participation from the community.

CNHA also produces informational Desktop Reference Guides as a means to increase access to relevant information and to enable our communities to responsibly and actively engage and contribute to the formation of polices at various levels of government.  The sections of each manual include government oversight, the full text of the bill, frequently asked questions, and a timeline to the paths of passage (if applicable). 

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Akaka Bill, Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act:
A bill to express the policy of the United States regarding the United States relationship with Native Hawaiians and to provide a process for the recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian governing entity.    

Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921:
A bill to establish a Hawaiian homeland commission, granting certain powers to the board of harbor commissioners of the Territory of Hawaii

Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA):
The NAHASDA Act of 1996 is designed to provide Federal assistance for Indian tribes in a manner that recognizes the right of tribal self-governance. NAHASDA reorganizes the system of Federal housing assistance to Native Americans by eliminating several separate programs of assistance and replacing them with a single block grant program.  In 2000, NAHASDA was expanded funding to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands to provide direct assistance to Native Hawaiian Homelands to meet the needs of low to moderate income communities.

Native Hawaiian Education Act:
This act supports innovative projects that improve the educational services provided to Native Hawaiian children and adults.

Government 101 Training:
Provides opportunities and resources for community based organizations to engage federal issues and discuss policies and increase the accountability of elected officials, federal agencies and policy makers to Native Hawaiian issues.