HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	225
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

Recognizing the achievements of Kūhiō lewis as president and chief executive officer of the council for native hawaiian advancement.

WHEREAS, Kūhiō Lewis is the President and CEO of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA); and

WHEREAS, CNHA, founded in 2001, is a non-profit organization with a mission to enhance the cultural, economic, political, and community development for Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, at the helm of CNHA since 2018, Kūhiō Lewis is responsible for numerous endeavors including the establishment and administration of the Hawaiian Trades Academy, the online marketplace Pop-Up Mākeke, the KūHana Business Program, nationally-recognized emergency rental assistance programs, a multi-million dollar loan fund, the largest Community Development Financial Institution program in the state, the annual Native Hawaiian Convention which assembles the largest gathering of Native Hawaiians in the country, and initiatives related to transforming the tourism sector to better share Hawaiʻi's rich cultural heritage, among many others; and

WHEREAS, Kūhiō Lewis and CNHA have provided significant aid in response to the August 2023 Maui wildfires, offering a leasing program to sublet homes to fire-impacted families, stipends for those who host survivors in spare rooms, and a loan forgiveness program to help property owners expedite the construction of accessory dwelling units; and

WHEREAS, Kūhiō Lewis has received multiple awards for his efforts, such as being honored as Hawaiʻi Business Magazine's 20 for the Next 20, Pacific Business News' 40 for the next 40, and a 2023 Pacific Business News Book of Lists Power Leader; and

WHEREAS, approaching his role with an ambitious vision, Kūhiō Lewis has reached historic highs for CNHA in terms of loan dollars out the door, restructuring his staff, and bringing greater focus to managing the loan fund and the organization's financials; and

WHEREAS, Kūhiō Lewis has led CNHA to achieve long-lasting impacts for the Native Hawaiian community; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that Kūhiō Lewis is hereby recognized for his leadership and accomplishments as the President and CEO of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and the House of Representatives wishes him continued success in all his future endeavors.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Kūhiō Lewis; Native Hawaiians; Center for Native Hawaiian Advancement.