Native Hawaiian Organizations demonstrate community impact at annual showcase

Thirty-two Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) and community partners gathered Monday at Pearl at Kalauao for the 2026 NHOA Community Showcase, demonstrating how business success translates into investments that benefit Native Hawaiian families and communities across Hawaiʻi. 

Hosted by the Native Hawaiian Organizations Association (NHOA), the showcase provided an opportunity to see how NHOs use their businesses, including federal contracting, to support scholarships, workforce development, cultural preservation, health initiatives, and other community programs. 

“When people hear about Native Hawaiian Organizations, they often hear about federal contracts. What they don’t always see is what happens after those contracts are awarded,” said Naki Sabas, Executive Director of NHOA. “The success of NHO businesses helps support scholarships, workforce training, cultural programs and other investments that directly benefit Native Hawaiian communities. Today’s showcase is an opportunity to see those results firsthand.” 

The investments highlighted at the showcase are part of a broader record of community support. NHOA member organizations have invested more than $125.4 million in community programs between 2018 and 2024. 

Participating organizations included Friends of ʻIolani Palace, Malama Honua Public Charter School, the Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society, Purple Maiʻa Foundation, and other demonstrating the range of community programs supported through the NHO model. 

“Our kuleana extends beyond building successful businesses. It is about creating opportunities for Native Hawaiian families, strengthening our communities, and ensuring future generations have the resources to thrive,” Sabas said. 

Native Hawaiian Organizations are nonprofit entities that may own and operate businesses participating in the US Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program. The NHO model is designed to generate economic opportunities that support the missions of Native Hawaiian nonprofit organizations and benefit the communities they serve. 

For community partners, NHO investments help expand programs and services that might otherwise lack sufficient resources. 

“We’ve used this funding to help build our educational program,” said Paula Akana, President and CEO of The Friends of Iolani Palace. “During the pandemic, we had to lay off 40% of our staff. We’re building it back strategically in the areas that we definitely need, and education is a big part of that. We’ve been able to use this funding to build our education department, to build the programming, and also to pay for admissions and transportation for students to be able to come to the palace.” 

The 2026 NHOA Community Showcase underscores the role Native Hawaiian Organizations play in creating economic opportunities and investing in programs that strengthen Native Hawaiian communities for generations to come. 

For more information about NHOA and its members, visit www.nhoassociation.org.