Policy Priorities

Advocating for public policies to promote Native Hawaiian self-determination

The CNHA Advocacy Center

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) advocates for public policies that promote Native Hawaiian self-determination through enhanced social, cultural, economic, political, and community development at all levels of government. To achieve this, the CNHA Advocacy Center will focus on empowering our members and the lāhui with access to policy.

Rent Mortgage Relief Fund Program featured image

Self Determination

As Indigenous People, Native Hawaiians have the right to self-determination. By virtue of this right, we may freely determine our political status and freely pursue our economic, social and cultural development. In furtherance of Native Hawaiian self-determination, CNHA actively develops and maintains partnerships within the government, private, and non-profit sectors to uplift and empower Native Hawaiian voices.

Housing

The rising cost of living in Hawaiʻi threatens to upset our local communities and displace Native Hawaiians. CNHA advocates for affordable housing, rental relief for moderate and low income families, curbing the proliferation of illegal vacation rentals, and increased funding for the Department of Hawaiian Homelands.

Economic Development

Like other Indigenous Peoples, Native Hawaiians face unique economic challenges due in large part to intergenerational trauma linked to the history of colonization, which destroyed the social, political, and cultural fabric of Hawaiʻi, lead to displacement and loss of lands, and ultimately deprived Native Hawaiians of the ability to create generational wealth. CNHA advocates for economic policies that support Native Hawaiian businesses, promote workforce development to increase household income, and to foster a healthy and resilient economy that is in line with Hawaiian values.

Regenerative Tourism

Native Hawaiians have long been the backbone of the tourism industry, whether it be through our culture, ʻāina, or people. But our relationship with tourism has always been uneasy, especially as visitor numbers swell to record highs and tourists begin to spill out of traditional resort areas and into our neighborhoods, trails, and beaches. CNHA advocates for a regenerative model of tourism, one that contributes to the perpetuation of our culture, the regrowth and regeneration of our ʻāina, and the betterment of our people.

Cultural Integrity

Our traditions and practices form the foundation of our identity as Native Hawaiians, and serves to connect us to our past. CNHA advocates to preserve and perpetuate our cultural heritage, including the normalization of ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi in everyday life.

Land and Natural Resources

Our land and natural resources serve as the foundation of our cultural and spiritual identity as Native Hawaiians. CNHA advocates to protect āina and kai, and supports policies that facilitate community based management of our precious and irreplaceable natural resources.

Civic Engagement

Civic engagement is a proud part of our history as Native Hawaiians. CNHA advocates to increase Native Hawaiians’ understanding of, and participation in, government and the law and policy making processes of the State of Hawaiʻi.

“Decades from now, we will look back on the 2022 Legislative Session as a watershed year for Native Hawaiians.”

—Kūhiō Lewis

CEO of CNHA