RECOGNIZING HAWAIIAN COUNCIL FOR 25 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, IMPACTFUL LEADERSHIP, AND STEADFAST ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY.

HR213

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

213

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

RECognizing hawaiian council for 25 years of dedicated
service, impactful leadership, and steadfast advocacy on behalf of the native
hawaiian community
.

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WHEREAS, formerly
known as the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, HAWAIIAN COUNCIL was
founded in 2001 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the
cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians;
and

����
WHEREAS, under
the leadership of Robin Danner, Michelle Ka
ʻ
uhane,
and Kūhiō Lewis, HAWAIIAN COUNCIL has advanced Native Hawaiian self-sufficiency
by advocating for policies and programs that uplift lāhui priorities and
reflect the values, traditions, and aspirations of Native Hawaiians; and

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WHEREAS, HAWAIIAN
COUNCIL has demonstrated a strong commitment to economic empowerment and
expanded access to capital for Native Hawaiians through its activities as a
Native Community Development Financial Institution and a HUD-Certified Housing
Counseling Agency; the organization also operates a small business accelerator,
trades academy, and marketplace, creating a comprehensive pipeline of support
for individuals, families, and other nonprofit organizations; and

����
WHEREAS, HAWAIIAN
COUNCIL has continued to center culture in its work, including developing
Native Hawaiian-led visitor experiences and productions, transforming the
tourism industry towards a more regenerative future, and helping to repatriate
iwi kūpuna and other Native Hawaiian artifacts; and

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WHEREAS, in
times of crisis, HAWAIIAN COUNCIL has stepped forward to provide critical
support to Native Hawaiian communities, establishing small business support and
community outreach services during the COVID-19 pandemic and implementing
emergency housing solutions, rental assistance, and wraparound recovery
services during the August 2023 Maui wildfires; and

����
WHEREAS, HAWAIIAN
COUNCIL continues to play a vital role in connecting the Native Hawaiian
community through its annual Native Hawaiian Convention, which has become one
of the largest gatherings of Native Hawaiians in the nation and serves as a
space for cultural exchange, policy discussion, networking, and collective
visioning for the future; and

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WHEREAS, HAWAIIAN
COUNCIL's success over the past 25 years is a result of its exceptional
leadership, dedicated staff, motivated interns, committed partners, and a
membership base of over 1,400 individuals and groups, as well as the collective
wisdom and strength of Native Hawaiian communities throughout the country that
continue to shape the organization's direction and priorities; and

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WHEREAS, HAWAIIAN
COUNCIL has now grown into one of the largest and most influential Native
Hawaiian organizations in the nation, employing over 400 people and serving as
a coordinating force for diverse organizations, leaders, and communities
statewide and nationally; and

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WHEREAS, the
25
th
Anniversary of HAWAIIAN COUNCIL represents a significant
milestone for the organization, which remains committed to serving future
generations of Native Hawaiians; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawai
ʻ
i,
Regular Session of 2026, that this body hereby recognizes HAWAIIAN COUNCIL for
25 years of dedicated service, impactful leadership, and steadfast advocacy on
behalf of the Native Hawaiian community and extends its warmest aloha and best
wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
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Hawaiian
Council