Policy Center

Under the Policy Center, CNHA serves as an advocate of community development practitioners, and provides relevant information, networking opportunities and policy reports to assist in addressing issues and finding solutions for Native communities. The Center provides public policy education to enhance the ability of the Native Hawaiian community to participate in federal legislative initiatives and other public policies that affect community development.

Policy Events: CNHA coordinates Summits, Forums, Roundtables & Symposiums that focus on community development related topics that impact the Native Hawaiian community

Policy Center Steering Committee: The Steering Committee is an advisory committee made up of members of Native Hawaiian community based organizations. The PPC Steering Committee oversees subcommittees on government affairs, convention & registration, public & alii trusts, community development.  Their input and helps to shape CNHA’s public policy priorities. 

National Policies for Native Needs: CNHA conducts workshops, develops legislative initiatives, prepares testimonies for public hearings, coordinates Capitol Hill visits in Washington DC and produces informational Desktop Reference Guides to educate, empower and involve Native Hawaiian communities in the federal policy making process on key legislative issues. For more information, click here.

Native Nation Projects: This project is designed to empower CNHA partnered with the UCLA Indian Law Clinic and the Native Nations Law & Policy Center to compile information and coordinate symposiums on key issues affecting native peoples in Hawaii, the United States and the Pacific region. For more information, click here.

Native Votes Count Campaign: Native Hawaiians make up 23% of the population and collectively play a significant role in the state’s policy decisions The Native Votes Count campaign is targeted at increasing voter participation with information and resources that will successfully rally Native Hawaiians to the polls during election season.  For more information on how you can “Get Out the Vote”, please click here.

8(a) Protection Project: Under the Small Business Administration, the 8(a) program provides federal assistance and support for minority owned and Native small businesses.  Currently there are efforts to eliminate the program in its entirety. CNHA is working with businesses and tribal governments to protect this important program for Native communities.

Community Consultation: CNHA’s Policy Center also assists other organizations secure community input about their programs and initiatives as well as conduct community meetings and consultation sessions on a variety of public policy issues and with public officials and government staff. 

Briefs, Reports & Policy Points: CNHA examines current issues and produces briefs, reports, and policy points that provide information and analysis to stakeholders and policy makers in order to make informed decisions about the public policies or actions that affect Native Hawaiians, and actively contribute to policy formation  For a comprehensive list of downloadable CNHA Policy Briefs, click here.

Public Notices: List of Public Notices issued by public and federal agencies that seek community input on various programs.