Celebrating Culture, Community, and Self-Determination at CNHA’s Annual Conference
Aloha mai kākou,
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) will host its annual conference Sept. 17-19, 2024, at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaiʻi Island. This three-day event, “Eō Moku o Keawe!” promises to be an enriching gathering focused on cultural perpetuation, housing, fashion, tourism, education, and self-determination.
CNHA’s annual conference is a hallmark event that brings together leaders, educators, cultural practitioners, and community members to engage in meaningful discussions and workshops. It serves as a vital platform for sharing knowledge, building relationships, and collectively addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the Native Hawaiian community.
CNHA is dedicated to advancing the interests of Native Hawaiians and this year’s conference is set to build on the momentum of past gatherings.
Less than a year ago, in November 2023, the CNHA conference took place on Maui, where CNHA CEO Kūhiō Lewis provided me the honor of delivering the keynote speech. As the newly appointed Pouhana of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), I had the privilege of sharing my personal journey, introducing my ʻohana, and outlining the strategic direction for OHA under our 15-year plan, Mana i Mauli Ola.
The convention provided a unique platform to present OHA’s vision, which is grounded in collaboration with the Board of Trustees and designed to ensure the long-term wellbeing and empowerment of the lāhui.
One of the most profound moments from that keynote was when Kūhiō and CNHA Cultural Ambassador Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu prayed a blessing over me, OHA and our Hawaiian people. Their heartfelt blessing not only reaffirmed the lāhui’s strength but also underscored the significance of unity in our shared mission for self-determination and cultural resilience.
As we look ahead to the 2024 conference, OHA will be offering two sessions. The first session, scheduled for Tuesday, September 18, from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., will be a panel discussion focusing on OHA’s request to transfer Maunaʻala from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to OHA.
This discussion will address the critical timing and necessity of the request, OHA’s intentions regarding co-stewardship with the aliʻi trusts, and the next steps in this important endeavor. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists during a Q&A session, fostering an open dialogue about the future stewardship of Maunaʻala.
From 2 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., Hailama Farden, OHA’s senior director of Hawaiian cultural affairs, will lead a workshop titled “He Mana Kō Ka Inoa: Hawaiian Naming Practices.” This session will delve into the profound significance of traditional Hawaiian naming practices, emphasizing the power and mana that names carry within our culture. As a leader in the Hawaiian language revitalization movement, Hailama’s insights will offer invaluable knowledge to all who attend.
If you haven’t yet registered, visit www.hawaiiancouncil.org/ for more information. I look forward to seeing you there as we come together to celebrate and advance the vision of a thriving lāhui. Eō Moku o Keawe!
Me ka haʻahaʻa,
Stacy Kealohalani Ferreira
Ka Pouhana | Chief Executive Officer
