The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), now operating as Hawaiian Council, is a member-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Kapolei, Hawaii. Established in 2001, the organization is designated as a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified by the U.S. Treasury Department and operates as a HUD-Certified Housing Counseling agency.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$82.8M
+70.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.2M
+2363.4% YoY
Grant Count
137
+3325.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$45K
-28.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
CNHA's mission is to enhance the cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians. The organization works to promote the advancement of Native Hawaiians and Native Hawaiian communities through support services to agencies and organizations focusing on Native community development issues.
Primary program areas include:
- Capacity Building Services: Distribution of funds to small nonprofit organizations that perpetuate Hawaiian culture; leadership development programs for Native youth; training and technical assistance to Native Hawaiian organizations and communities; and coordination of networking and consensus-building events
- Lending and Development Services: Operation of a community loan fund providing both consumer and business loans, technical assistance, and financial education services
- Financial Services: Access to capital, financial education, and individualized financial counseling services with focus on low and moderate-income families
- Housing Support: Technical assistance and capacity building services for community organizations in development, construction, and management of community facilities
- Emergency Financial Assistance: Distribution of temporary financial relief to individuals and families during emergencies, including mortgage, rental, and utility payment assistance
Grantmaking
CNHA functions as both a grantmaker and lender. The organization has distributed over $150 million through its Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) program to households for mortgage, rental fees, and utility payments on behalf of the State of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu, and the Department of Hawaiian Homelands.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CNHA primarily funds in Hawaii, with additional activity in California and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $82,795,924
- Total Revenue: $86,032,982
- Total Expenses: $46,810,351
- Total Giving: $29,593,103
Previous Year Data (2023):
- Revenue: $52.3M
- Expenses: $46.5M
- Total Assets: $48.5M
- Total Liabilities: $33.5M
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $82,795,924 | $48,483,960 | $34,204,109 |
| Revenue | $86,032,982 | $52,325,631 | $76,961,241 |
| Expenses | $46,810,351 | $46,518,979 | $76,210,211 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $45,619 | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
81 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Kūhiō Lewis serves as Chief Executive Officer of the organization.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAUHANE MICHELLE | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| NAHOLOWA'A MAKALIKA | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| CHANG KEVIN | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| LINDSTONE MIKIALA | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| KALILI AMY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DILLARD ADRIENNE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| GILBREATH JEFF | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| AH PO ANDREW | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| VAN TASSELL ROBERT | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LEWIS JOSEPH K | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $238,461 |
| PUMARAS FLORANTE | FORMER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $142,823 |
| CARREL JADE | FORMER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $24,404 |
| HIND MEHANA | SENIOR ADVISOR | 40 | $120,327 |
| SEVERSON KAINALU | DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS | 40 | $109,707 |
| SONG ALANA | FORMER GENERAL COUNSEL | 40 | $110,962 |
| GOMES TYLER | CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR | 40 | $103,846 |
| BARR SAMUEL KAMUELA | SENIOR DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS | 40 | $103,462 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
CNHA received a $200,000 grant from the Hawaiʻi Pacific Foundation, Inc.
CNHA receives $200,000 grant from the Hawai\u02BBi Pacific Foundation, Inc.The organization announced a $5 million rental and utilities assistance initiative for Native Hawaiians in partnership with the Department of Hawaiian Homelands
OHA awards $1.8 million in grants to 16 nonprofits serving Native HawaiiansIn January 2026, CNHA launched the Koa Credit Builder Loan Program to help residents establish credit and improve financial stability
CNHA received contributions on behalf of Maui relief efforts
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Hamakua Institute
NINOLE, HI
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Kanaka Aupuni a Niihau Aloha
KEKAHA, HI
Assets
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1
Total Given
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Wailea Community Association
WAILEA, HI
Assets
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3
Total Given
$138K
Skipping Stone Foundation
HONOLULU, HI
Assets
—
Grants
5
Total Given
$418K
Charles R Bishop Trust
HONOLULU, HI
Assets
$16.1M
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2
Total Given
$471K
Hawaii Youth Services Network
HONOLULU, HI
Assets
$637K
Grants
4
Total Given
$189K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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