Community Programs

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

CNHA serves as a bridge between communities and an environment for Native Hawaiians and locals to collaborate, connect & develop.

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) is a Hawaiʻi member based non-profit organization with over 700 members of individuals, non-profit and for-profit businesses. We are a Certified Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) cultivating community loan funds to catalyze capacity building and promotion of minority-owned asset advancement towards financial sustainability and community contribution. We are also dedicated to the helping Hawaiʻiʻs people stay and afford to live in Hawaiʻi. We do that through our Hawaiian Trades Academy, our KūHana Business program and our financial empowerment classes.

For the people

Rent & Mortgage Relief

Life has its challenges. We can help you find the resources you need for your ʻohana to thrive -from mortage to utilities and assistance programs. Find out more and see if you qualify.

apply for relief

For Visionaries

CNHA Loan Fund

In alignment with it’s mission, CNHA facilitates a $9 million dollar Loan Fund providing access to loan capital, financial education, and individualized financial counseling services for Hawaii-based small businesses, non-profit organizations and low and moderate-income families.

see if your business qualifies

For the learner

Hawaiian Trades Academy

The Hawaiian Trades Academy launched in 2019 to provide workforce development for economically and socially disadvantaged communities. The program goal is to raise the household income of families in Hawaiʻi. Since its inception in 2019, the Hawaiian Trades Academy has …

Learn More about Hawaiian Trades Academy

For entrepreneurs

KūHana Business Program

KūHana helps local and Hawaiian-owned entrepreneurs 1-5 years in operation get clear on their business strategy by hosting a 8-week business plan development class with tools, technical assistance, and ample networking.

Learn More About Kūhana

For ʻŌiwi leaders

E OLA

The Kamehameha Schools and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement are pleased to present E Ola. As kānaka ʻōiwi, we are a vibrant and diverse people who have carved our way in this world through generations of innovation and resiliency.

Learn More about E OLA

CNHA Annual Native Hawaiian Convention Featured Image

Transforming Hawaiʻi Nei

2022 Convention

As we reflect on Hawai‘i’s history, we see moments that are ripe for hulihia, windows where deep transformation will occur. There is perhaps no better time than today, in the anticipated wake of COVID-19, to boldly transform Hawai’i.

Relive hulihia

“I was let go from my job due to COVID and in the process I was really in a position to pivot in terms of my career trajectory. I was really asking what that was going to look like, how was that going to happen? And when I received this email, I just thought this is it! This class gives me hope for my personal trajectory. It excites me that there are opportunities for our Native Hawaiian and local communities.”

—Ella Aki

Hawaiian Trades Academy — Program Graduate