Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce launches on Hawaii Island
Native Hawaiian leaders on Hawaii Island announced the establishment of a chamber of commerce to advocate for local issues through a lens of Hawaiian culture and values. Known as Hui Oihana, the Hawaii Island Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to strengthen the Native Hawaiian community and businesses by supporting a thriving economy rooted in language, culture, and aloha. Hui Oihana believes in a Hawaii Island where culture, community, and commerce can thrive.
“With the growing focus on Hawaiian issues in our island, leaders in the business community believed that this chamber of commerce will boost Native Hawaiian businesses and help the community engage in contemporary Hawaiian issues,” said founding President Richard Ha, a longtime Hawaii Island businessman.
“Ua hiki mai ka wa. Now is the time we must come together as a Native Hawaiian community to steer our island’s economy in a direction that embraces Hawaiian values, culture and language as the foundation of a thriving community,” said Kirstin Kahaloa, vice president of Hui Oihana and a former executive director of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.
The founding board embraces Hui Oihana’s leadership role and responsibility as the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce on the island that is traditionally understood to be the eldest of the Hawaiian Islands, home to the premiere hula festival in the world, a leader in rediscovering traditional sustainability practices, and has been at the cutting edge of Hawaiian language and culture revitalization. In addition to traditional advocacy to improve business and economic conditions, Hui Oihana will build its capacity to be a resource to the community for culture, language, training, entrepreneurship and more.
Hui Oihana membership is open to Native Hawaiian and other kamaaina business owners, nonprofit organization leaders, and interested community members who support the chamber’s mission of supporting a thriving economy rooted in language, culture, and aloha.
Hui Oihana invites the community and members to attend its inaugural luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 12 at the Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo.
Info: huioihana.com.