To mālama Native Hawaiians in business through leadership, relationships, and connections to economic resources and opportunities has been a guiding principle of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce (NHCC) since its inception in 1974. Over the past 50 years, NHCC has undergone a positive evolution, navigating challenges and seizing opportunities to support Native Hawaiian business.
The pandemic posed a significant threat to NHCC. Faced with the prospect of closing our doors, the board made a pivotal decision. NHCC chose to invest limited resources into growing the organization to meet the rapidly changing economic environment and the needs of Native Hawaiians striving for equal footing in the business world. Nearly two years later, NHCC’s hard work has begun to pay off with many exciting plans for expansion in the coming months.
Having the “right leader, at the right time in the right place” is vital to the health of an organization.
One key role is that of board president. Outgoing Board President Mike Rawlins, a long-time volunteer director, has served NHCC in numerous capacities. His deep understanding of business and the unique needs of Native Hawaiian business owners was crucial. Under his leadership, the organization has achieved remarkable results.
Reflecting on his tenure, Rawlins said, “It was an honor to serve as president of NHCC. I was blessed to work with an executive director and board committed to making NHCC a transformative organization for the Native Hawaiian business community.
“Our success hinged on the engagement and expertise of all our board members. Discussions always focused on adding value to NHCC membership. We provided training and outreach opportunities to help our members navigate the daily challenges of running a small business. Our approach was not just to give our members fish, but to teach them how to fish, enabling them to grow their businesses. I am confident Kelea (i.e., incoming president Kelea Levy) will continue to provide the leadership for NHCC for our members and community.”
NHCC is excited to welcome Kelea Levy as its new board president. Chosen for her dedication, intelligence, expertise, and commitment, Kelea is poised to build on NHCC’s growing foundation.
Indeed, NHCC stands at a pivotal moment, positioned for further growth and success on behalf of our membership and community. Guided by our founding principles and the dedication of its leaders, NHCC continues to be a vital resource for Native Hawaiian businesses. With Kelea’s appointment, the organization is set to build on its strong foundation, ensuring a bright future for its members and the broader community.
“I was recruited to the board early on during the pandemic and at that time, we had a freshly minted strategic plan begging for action,” Levy recalled. “Our highly skilled board took steps to bring on our first staff and together as a team, we are well on our way to accomplishing the chamber’s goals, to bring Hawaiian entrepreneurs together to create a more resilient and inclusive Hawaiian business community, and to increase our collective access to capital and training resources.”
We are grateful for our members’ support and look forward to hopefully earning the trust of potential new members. To learn more, visit our website at www.nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org. Mālama pono.
Join us in celebrating the exceptional achievements of these honorees who embody the spirit of Hawaiian leadership and community dedication. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org.
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