Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, now known as Hawaiian Council, is a member-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Kapolei, Hawaiʻi. Its mission is to enhance the cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians. The organization is a U.S. Treasury-certified Native Community Development Financial Institution and a HUD-certified housing counseling agency.
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement at a glance
In short: Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement gave $6.0M across 157 grants in 2025 (avg $38K), mostly in Hawaii. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,000,433
- -2.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 157
- +14.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $38,219
- -15.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $23,987
- Total assets
- $72,798,728
- -12.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (93% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
- How to Apply
-
A 2025 Community Enrichment Program request for proposals listed nonprofits and government agencies as eligible applicants, with no matching funds required. The listed deadline was September 20, 2024, so that cycle has passed. The ʻUmeke Portal also listed partnership opportunities for nonprofits and government agencies, plus a Signature Event program for for-profit businesses; its application deadline was April 1, 2025, and that cycle has passed.
- Contact
Mailing address: 91-1270 Kinoiki Street Building 1, Kapolei, HI 96707
Phone: (808) 596-8155
Website: https://hawaiiancouncil.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hawaii Stage Event Production Company ($402K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
314 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 231 grants of 314 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization says it provides grants and loans targeting underserved communities in Hawaiʻi. In filing year 2025, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in Hawaiʻi, 4% to California, 1% to Florida, and 1% to Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 157 itemized grants.
Cities
How Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2019) to $6.2M (2024). In 2025 it made 157 grants totaling $6.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Stage Event Production Company Honolulu, HI | To Support Community Event | $402,000 |
| ESPN Productions Inc Burbank, CA | To Support Community Event | $175,000 |
| Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Honolulu, HI | To Support Community Event | $155,000 |
| Gravitas Pasifika LLC Honolulu, HI | To Support Community Event | $150,000 |
| Aloha Festivals Honolulu, HI | To Support Community Event | $130,000 |
| The Merrie Monarch Festival Hilo, HI | To Support Community Event | $125,000 |
| Kupu Honolulu, HI | To support event tied to cultural, people/land connection, & natural resources | $120,000 |
| Kahuli Leo Lea Kaneohe, HI | To Support Hawaiian Culture in Resort Zoned Areas | $117,000 |
| Kala Foundation EWA Beach, HI | To Support Community Event | $115,500 |
| Honolulu Biennial Foundation Honolulu, HI | To Support Community Event | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $72,798,728 | $31,590,180 | $35,590,512 | $6,000,433 | 157 | $52,745 |
| 2024 | $82,795,924 | $86,032,982 | $46,810,351 | $6,158,597 | 137 | $45,619 |
| 2023 | $48,483,960 | $52,325,631 | $46,518,979 | $250,000 | 4 | — |
| 2022 | $34,204,109 | $76,961,241 | $76,210,211 | $217,057 | 4 | — |
| 2021 | $26,176,594 | $71,478,503 | $69,980,916 | $497,222 | 12 | — |
| 2020 | $9,576,163 | $11,301,237 | $6,325,901 | $128,530 | 11 | — |
| 2019 | $4,288,919 | $2,276,988 | $2,351,256 | $12,000 | 1 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to enhance the cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians. Its website also describes its mission as “We uplift lāhui.”
Its programs include temporary financial relief for individuals and families; a community loan fund for Hawaiʻi-based small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and low- and moderate-income families; workforce development through the Hawaiian Trades Academy; and business planning support through KūHana. The organization also describes capacity-building support for small nonprofits, Native youth leadership development, training and technical assistance, and community networking.
In 2025, grants went to organizations with varied missions. For example, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame describes its work as preserving the achievements of Polynesia’s greatest football players. The Merrie Monarch Festival says it honors King David Kalākaua’s legacy by perpetuating Hawaiian traditions, language, and arts. Kupu describes programs that train young adults for “green” jobs while engaging them in community service. Kahuli Leo Leʻa says it supports aloha ʻāina through education, composition, and presentation of mele and other cultural practices.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 157 grants totaling $6,000,433. Awards ranged from $5,363 to $402,000, with a median grant of $23,987. The largest reported awards included $402,000 to Hawaii Stage Event Production Company for community events; $175,000 to ESPN Productions Inc for community events; $155,000 to the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame for community events; and $150,000 to Gravitas Pasifika LLC for community events. Other large awards included $130,000 to Aloha Festivals, $125,000 to the Merrie Monarch Festival, and $120,000 to Kupu for an event tied to culture, people-and-land connection, and natural resources.
The organization’s 2024 filing describes specific grant processes for voter registration and engagement grants: eligibility is verified before disbursement, grants are accompanied by contracts, and reports and/or receipts are required to draw down payment. It says sponsorships are awarded based on a proposal, and a report is typically requested but not always required. The filing also describes grants to households affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic; applicants had to meet qualifications set by agencies such as the City and County of Honolulu and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michelle Kauhane as president; Makalika Naholowaʻa as vice president; Kevin Chang as treasurer; Jacob Aki as secretary; and Amy Kalili, Robert Van Tassell, Alapaki Nahale-a, and Vernon Wong as board members. It also lists Joseph K. Lewis as president and CEO. The organization’s website identifies Kūhiō Lewis as president and CEO.
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is led by Lewis Joseph K., President & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2024); 8 of 17 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lewis Joseph K.
President & CEO
Chief Executive Officer → President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$238K (2024) → $304K (2025)
Kauhane Michelle
President
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barr Samuel Kamuela
Former Senior Director of Operations
Senior Director & Operations → Former Senior Director of Operations, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$103K (2024) → $116K (2025)
Arce Kauilani K. K.
COO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$98K (2025)
Carrel Yoshiko Jade Mokihana
Former CFO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$133K (2025)
Carroll Nicholas A.
Chief of Staff
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$116K (2025)
Hee Mallory Ka'ulawena Yumi
General Counsel
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$36K (2025)
Hind Nicole M.
Senior Advisor
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$125K (2025)
Sharp Daniel
CFO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$74K (2025)
Chang Kevin
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kalili Amy
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Naholowa'a Makalika
Vice President
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Van Tassell Robert
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aki Jacob
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keohokalolo Kuulani
Former Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nahale-A Alapaki
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wong Vernon
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (55)
- Former: Ah Po Andrew (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Carrel Jade (2024) — Former Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Dillard Adrienne (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Gilbreath Jeff (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Gomes Tyler (2024) — Chief Administrator
- Former: Hind Mehana (2024) — Senior Advisor
- Former: Lindstone Mikiala (2024) — Secretary
- Former: Pumaras Florante (2024) — Former Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Severson Kainalu (2024) — Director & Community Programs
- Former: Song Alana (2024) — Former General Counsel
- Former: Adrienne Dillard (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Andrew Ah Po (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jeff Gilbreath (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Joseph Kuhio Lewis (2019–2023) — Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Kevin Chang (2019–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Amy Kalili (2020–2023) — Former President
- Former: Michelle Kauhane (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Mikiala Lidstone (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Leilani Garner (2021–2023) — Former Chief Operations Officer
- Former: Florante Pumaras (2022–2023) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Makalika Naholowa'a (2022–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Andrew K. Recktenwald (2023) — General Counsel
- Former: Kuulani Keohokalole (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Nicole M. Hind (2023) — Senior Director of Community Programs
- Former: Paige Onishi (2023) — Chief Operations Officer
- Former: Robert Van Tassell (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Sterling K. Wong (2023) — Senior Director of Advocacy & Communications
- Former: Tyler Yates (2020–2022) — Former Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Lahela Williams (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Lance Holden (2019–2021) — Chairman
- Former: Esther Kiaaina (2020–2021) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Keoki Dudoit (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Luann Faborito (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Summer Sylva (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Trisha Kehaulani Watson (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Malia Kaaihue (2021) — Former Treasurer
- Former: Athina K. Tjorvatjoglou-Cup Choy (2019–2020) — Chief Operations Officer
- Former: Blossom Feiteira (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Daniel L. Sharp (2019–2020) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Iwalani McBrayer (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Alan Murakami (2019) — Former Board Member
- Former: Cedric Duante (2019) — Former Board Member
- Former: Charisse Ala (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Hanalei Aipoalani (2019) — Chair
- Former: Jacob Ka'omaka Aki (2019) — Former Board Member
- Former: Kaiwipuni Lipe (2019) — Former Board Member
- Former: Liberta Albao (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Maile Meyer (2019) — Former Board Member
- Former: Moses Haia (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Namaka Rawlins (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Scott Maroney (2019) — Former Board Member
- Former: Scotty Reis-Moniz (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Sherri Cummings (2019) — Former Board Member
- Former: Shirley Pedro (2019) — Former Board Member
- Former: Ted Blake (2019) — Former Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $304K, to Lewis Joseph K (President & CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
How much does Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement give each year?
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement gave $6.0M across 157 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $6.2M across 137 grants.
What is Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement's typical grant size?
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement's median grant in 2025 was $23,987, and its average grant was $38,219, across 157 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement give grants?
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement gives mostly in Hawaii: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Honolulu, HI (47 grants), Hilo, HI (10 grants), Wailuku, HI (7 grants) and Kaneohe, HI (5 grants).
Does Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 157 grants with a stated purpose on Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support Community Event" (100 grants), "To Support a Hawaiian Culture Preservation Event" (24 grants) and "To Support Hawaiian Culture in Resort Zoned Areas" (5 grants).
Who are Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement's largest grantees?
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement's largest 2025 grantees include Hawaii Stage Event Production Company ($402,000), ESPN Productions Inc ($175,000) and Polynesian Football Hall of Fame ($155,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement?
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement reported $72.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $31.6M.
What does Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to enhance the cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians. Its website also describes its mission as “We uplift lāhui.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement?
A 2025 Community Enrichment Program request for proposals listed nonprofits and government agencies as eligible applicants, with no matching funds required. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement's EIN?
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-0313383. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 17, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/council-for-native-hawaiian-advancement-morg_bc15b4db1ed940468e8f00b0b80995ba
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_910313383_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/council-for-native-hawaiian-advancement-morg_bc15b4db1ed940468e8f00b0b80995ba},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement down — hundreds of funders to go?