Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) BOT Chairperson Kaialiʻi Kahele, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s (CNHA) CEO Kūhiō Lewis and Chief of Staff Nick Carroll, traveled to Washington, D.C., in March for a bipartisan, bicameral 48-hour engagement with federal leaders. The trip focused on assessing the impact of the new administration’s policies on Native Hawaiian programs and ensuring continued advocacy for Native Hawaiian interests. This is a summary of their activities.
Key Meetings and Discussions
The delegation met with Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono’s office, Rep. Ed Case, Rep. Jill Tokuda, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (New Mexico) and Rep. Tracey Mann (Kansas), along with key officials from the Department of Defense and the National American Indian Housing Council. Discussions centered on Native Hawaiian engagement across the U.S., strengthening ties with Native American and Alaska Native communities, and addressing gaps in federal funding for the Native Hawaiian Education Act, Native Hawaiian Health Care Act, and the Native 8(a) Program.
Policy and Legislative Priorities
A primary focus was advocating for Native Hawaiian programs that risk being misclassified under Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) and Accessibility or Environmental Justice initiatives. The delegation assessed the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Secretarial Order 3416’s traction in implementing presidential initiatives and explored allyship opportunities with Tribes and Alaska Natives to respond to executive orders affecting Indigenous communities.
Concerns were raised regarding U.S. Census data changes that could impact OHA’s research and advocacy efforts. The delegation urged continued support for Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 to ensure proper Native Hawaiian representation in federal data collection.
Economic and Military Concerns
Economic self-determination was emphasized, with discussions on CNHA’s Kākoʻo Maui Recovery Program, which lost 17 employees due to federal funding cuts, affecting wildfire survivor assistance. Potential $30 million losses in federal funding for the Native American Resource Center Act and the Native Hawaiian Education Act were also highlighted. The delegation also addressed the impact of executive orders on the Native Hawaiian Organizations 8(a) program.
Military lease extension negotiations under the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act were another key issue. OHA reaffirmed its role in representing Native Hawaiian interests regarding military-leased lands, environmental impact assessments, and any federal legislative actions regarding land exchanges or condemnation affecting ceded lands.
Legislative and Administrative Advocacy
Support was expressed for Sen. Hirono’s Public Archives Resiliency Act to safeguard Hawaiʻi’s historical records. The delegation also backed the BLUE Pacific Act to enhance Indo-Pacific media and workforce development. Concerns were raised over consultation policies for major federal contractors and the effects of executive orders ending DEI programs on Native Hawaiian-focused initiatives. Discussions also covered departmental policies affecting Native Hawaiian education, social services, and agriculture programs under the Administration for Native Americans and the USDA’s Food & Nutrition Service.
The trip reinforced the urgency of proactive federal engagement to secure funding and policy support for Native Hawaiians. The delegation successfully highlighted critical issues and advocated for sustained collaboration with congressional allies, federal agencies, and Indigenous partners.
Moving forward, OHA and CNHA must continue to push for Native Hawaiian self-determination, economic stability, and legislative protections to ensure a stronger future for the Native Hawaiian community.
 BOT Chairperson Kaialiʻi Kahele, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s (CNHA) CEO Kūhiō Lewis and Chief of Staff Nick Carroll, traveled to Washington, D.C., in March for a bipartisan, bicameral 48-hour engagement with federal leaders.){kind=link}