CNHA Press Releases

Learn about CNHA’s latest activities and projects that support Native community development and policy initiatives.

10/18/06 - Puaoi Takes on Nonprofit Consulting and Training Center
HONOLULU, HI - The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to community development has named Rosalee Puaoi to lead its Training & Consulting Center that oversees several programs including the grants training program for the federal Administration of Native Americans (ANA). <more>

04/15/06 - Educational Symposium On Native Citizenship Planned for April
HONOLULU, HI - The UCLA Native Nations Law and Policy Center and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), in partnership with the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), announces the Educational Symposium on Defining Citizenship: The Foundation of a Native Nation, to be held April 17-18, 2006, at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel <more>

04/10/06 - State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations Fill & Train Ten Tech Jobs
PAPAKOLEA, HI - The State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations (SCHHA), under a grant with the Administration for Native Americans (ANA), has filled and trained 10 full-time technology jobs in the Papakolea community homestead. “We are thankful for Commissioner Quanah Crossland Stamps and the ANA in Washington DC for believing in our ability to train residents of Hawaiian homesteads in the technology sector,” said Paul Richards, SCHHA Executive Director. <more>

04/17/06 - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka to Address CNHA Symposium
HONOLULU, HI – The Honorable Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Congress, sponsor of the Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act (Akaka Bill), will open the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s (CNHA) Educational Symposium on Defining Citizenship at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel today at 9:15 a.m. in the Pacific Ballroom. Sponsored by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the UCLA School of Law Native Nations Law & Policy Center, the CNHA Policy Center coordinated two jam-packed days of informative workshops beginning today. <more>

03/22/06 - Grants For Hawaiian Community Development
HONOLULU, HI – The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is announcing a round of five half-day grant writing workshops throughout the state of Hawaii on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Institutions Assisting Communities(NHIAC) Grant Program.  Through partnerships with institutions of higher education, $3.2 million in grant funds are available in 2006.  <more>

03/20/06 - Social Enterprise of Hawaiian Council Opens Third Tech Center
HONOLULU, HI - The nonprofit Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Hawaiian Homestead Technology (HHT) announced the opening of a technology production site in the community of Papakolea above Honolulu.  This will bring the production facilities to 3 sites, with the first located in Anahola, Kauai, and the second in Waimanalo, Oahu. 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. <more>

03/15/06 - CNHA Launches Native Votes Count Campaign
HONOLULU, HI - The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) announced today its Native Votes Count campaign to increase voter education and awareness and encourage the Native Hawaiian community to get out the vote.  CNHA will work with community-based groups to coordinate access to Native Votes Count banners, signs and t-shirts, and ensure they have access to the information necessary to conduct voter registration drives. "This is our 3rd year of promoting voter education in Hawaii," said Jade Danner, CNHA Vice President.  "With the elections coming up in November, there are some critical races, including the house seat vacated by Representative Case and the Senate seat held by Senator Akaka." <more>

03/13/06 - Beijing University Professor Meets with Hawaiian Council on Indigenous Rights and Preservation
HONOLULU, HI - The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) welcomed a visit to Hawaii by Dr. Danqu, the first Tibetan professor at Beijing University since 1958, who teaches Tibetan language, culture and religion.  Dr. Danqu’s visit was a part of a Cultural Preservation and Human Rights program.CNHA and Dr. Danqu discussed important issues related to indigenous and minority rights.  Topics included maintenance and preservation of cultural identity, promoting education and systems of self-governance, increasing peace building and tolerance in civil society and the role of U.S. governmental and non-governmental programs in advocacy efforts. “CNHA’s Policy Center has focused on questions of self-governance and cultural preservation because these issues will always be central to the well-being of our communities,” said Lisa C. Oshiro, CNHA Senior Policy Analyst. <more>  

03/08/06 - Native Hawaiians and Alaska Natives Embark on Trade Mission
HONOLULU, HI -- Representatives from the Alaska Federation of Natives and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) left the United States on March 5th to Manila, Philippines, for meetings with officials from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).  Talks will include social and economic development strategies and experiences of indigenous peoples. "We have a lot to learn and share in the Asia Pacific region," said Jade Danner Vice President of CNHA and mission delegate.  "The traditional ideas and approaches of Native peoples are as relevant today as they have ever been, whether its commerce, caring for the environment or engaging in sustainable economic activities that are founded in cultural ideas and identities." <more>

01/09/06 - Kauhane Named Interim Executive Director of Homeownership Education Organization
HONOLULU, HI - On December 21, 2005 Hawaiian Community Assets, Inc. (HCA), a five-year old nonprofit mortgage broker and homeownership education organization, named Michelle Kauhane as Interim Executive Director.  Michelle Kauhane replaces Jim Wagele, who served as Executive Director since June 2000. “Michelle brings strong management and leadership skills, and a demonstrated dedication to our mission, and the Board looks forward to the years ahead,” said Board President Kehaulani Filimoe'atu. “Jim has done an excellent job growing our organization into a success.  From the beginning, Jim has been committed to the Board’s vision of growing leadership internally to run Hawaiian Community Assets.  Michelle’s promotion is proof that his plans have worked!” <more>