About Us

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) is a member-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to enhance the cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians. 

We uplift lāhui.

Headquartered in Kapolei, CNHA is a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified by the U.S. Treasury department and a HUD-Certified Housing Counseling agency. We provide access to capital, financial education and individualized financial counseling services with a focus on low and moderate-income families. CNHA serves as a National Intermediary, providing grants and loans targeting underserved communities in Hawaiʻi.

Working together to serve our community.

As a driver of change and solutions, CNHA knows that the collective impact is greater when communities come together and find ways to complement the work that we do. CNHA and The Hawaiian Trades Academy appreciates all of its sponsors, partners, and industry professionals who helped support the delivery of our training programs.

MAHALO NUI LOA!

What We Do

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Rent & Mortgage Relief

We can help you find the resources you need for your ʻohana to thrive -from mortage to utilities and assistance programs.

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Kilohana

Kilohana is a collaborative of complementary change agents committed to fulfilling HTA’s vision and specific directives.

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Community Programs

Our community programs work with members of our community to develop the skills and resources needed to thrive.

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Join Our Community

Become a CNHA member to get the opportunity to join other kānaka in lifting, empowering and inspiring our lāhui.

Meet the people behind CNHA’s work on community development

The Executive Board & Directors

Michelle Kauhane

Kapolei Community Development Corporation (President)

Makalika Naholowaʻa

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (Vice President)

Kevin Chang

Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo (Treasurer)

Jacob Aki

Alaska Airlines (Secretary)

Amy Kalili

Weloaloha, Inc

Kuʻulani Keohokalole

People Strategies Hawaiʻi

Rob Van Tassell

Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi

The Executive Team

Kūhiō Lewis

Kūhiō Lewis

Chief Executive Officer

Nick Carroll

Nick Carroll

Chief of Staff

Kauʻilani Arce

Kauʻilani Arce

Chief Operating Officer

Kaniʻela Sharp

Kaniʻela Sharp

Chief Financial Officer

Tyler Gomes

Tyler Gomes

Chief Administrator

Blaine Miyasato

Blaine Miyasato

Chief Branding Officer

Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu

Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu

Cultural Ambassador

Mehanaokalā Hind

Mehanaokalā Hind

Senior Advisor to CEO

Mallory Hee

Mallory Hee

General Counsel

Kanoe Takitani-Puahi

Deputy Chief of Staff

Samlynn Aea

Executive Director, Hawaii Staffing & Services

Staff

Shanice Ahsing

Shanice Ahsing

Care Advocate

Kapili Akima

Kapili Akima

Community Care Navigator

Hanalei Alapai

Hanalei Alapai

Community Care Navigator

Laʻe Alo

Laʻe Alo

Program Manager

Kaʻiʻini Aranaydo

Kaʻiʻini Aranaydo

Senior Director of Operations

Persian Asuncion

Persian Asuncion

Online Fulfillment Lead

Visa Castillo

Visa Castillo

Member Services Director

Michael Drane

Michael Drane

IT Technician

Fred Egami

Fred Egami

Program Manager

Channaley Gueso

Channaley Gueso

Program Lead

Sean Hauki-Williams

Sean Hauki-Williams

EFA Program Manager

Marika Higgins

Marika Higgins

Graphic Design Strategist

Leona Hosea

Leona Hosea

Certified HUD Counselor

Daniel Iaela

Daniel Iaela

CDL Instructor

Daniel Ikaika Ito

Daniel Ikaika Ito

Communications & Marketing Director

Saline Jackson

Saline Jackson

Program Specialist

Sherry Kaiwi

Sherry Kaiwi

Senior Director of Operations

Kahealani Peleras

Kahealani Peleras

Compliance Officer

Dustin Kaleiopu

Dustin Kaleiopu

Community Care Navigator Lead

Kukui Keahi

Kukui Keahi

Associate Director

Mokihana Komoda

Mokihana Komoda

Certified HUD Counselor

Adam Laimana

Adam Laimana

Full Stack Web Developer

Kane Lindsey

Kane Lindsey

Care Advocate

Brooke-Lynn Louis

Brooke-Lynn Louis

Program Specialist

Prestina Louis

Prestina Louis

Program Specialist

Rufino Magliba

Rufino Magliba

Community Relations

Madelyn McKeague

Madelyn McKeague

Director of Advocacy

Max Mukai

Max Mukai

Director of Business Development

Jon Peahl

Jon Peahl

Director of Sales and Strategy

Nadine Hokulani Pomroy

Nadine Hokulani Pomroy

Executive Assistant

Skye Razon-Olds

Skye Razon-Olds

Director of Impact

Manasseh Santos

Manasseh Santos

Trades Program Manager

Carmela Resuma

Carmela Resuma

Destination Stewardship Director

Keanu Schaller

Keanu Schaller

Care Advocate

Leimomi Saizon

Leimomi Saizon

Online Fulfillment Associate

Anela Akana

Makeke Manager

Grayson Arthur

Distribution Center

Alan Barrios

Distribution Center

Armen Boaz

Distribution Center

Makana Carreira

Human Resources Administrator

Kahlia Crummer

Loan Fund Director

Alea Defrancia

Community Care Navigator

Diana De Las Salas

Distribution Center

Kipe Ebana

Director of Entertainment

Fayne Egami

Associate Director

Lehua Egan

Community Care Navigator

Emily Green

Accountant

Sasha Haukoloa

Distribution Center

Mika Hirao-Solem

Producer & Creative Director

Jeriann Keolanui

Program Lead

Heather Kim

Loan Specialist

Alorah Kwock

Program Specialist

Cheri Lynn Lewis

Controller

Lorrie Louis

Program Lead

Kalei Maunakea

Program Analyst

Maui Melekiola

Distribution Center

Mitchel Merrick

Filmmaker

Brenna Oldroyd

Multimedia Designer

Denise Olea

Community Care Navigator

Michiyo Pendleton

Loan Underwriter

Kimberly Pinuelas

Distribution Center Lead

Travis Polido

CDL Instructor

Florine Roe

Community Care Navigator

Leia Seguancia

Accounts Payable Specialist

Maile Soon

Director of Media & Creative Content

Stephanie Sumera

Distribution Center

Jazmin Twining

Certified HUD Counselor

Rylan Wharton

Distribution Center

Carol Young

Retail Salesperson

Join our mission and help us provide powerful support for our community to develop and thrive.