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HŌʻIHI 2025 Grant Application Information

The Office of Native Hawaiian Relations’ (ONHR) Heritage (Tourism) Opportunities in Hawaii (HŌʻIHI) Grant Program provides NATIVE Act Grants under CFDA 15.068 and the provisions of the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act), 25 U.S.C. 4351 et seq. The purpose of the NATIVE Act is to establish a more inclusive national travel and tourism strategy that delivers significant benefits for Native Hawaiian organizations (NHO) as distinctly defined in the NATIVE Act, including job creation, elevated living standards, and expanded economic opportunities.

Kōʻieʻie Fishpond

Kō‘ie‘ie Fishpond's south wall has been recently restored by a new crew supported through the Hō‘ihi Grant Program. PC: ʻAoʻao o Nā Loko Iʻa o Maui

Fiscal Year 2025 Priorities
The HŌʻIHI Grant Program seeks to increase economic development within the Native Hawaiian Community by expanding opportunities for entrepreneurship among members, increasing innovation potential on the usage and incorporation of traditional knowledge, and ultimately increasing growth of new businesses within the Native Hawaiian Community.  For fiscal year 2025, ONHR will fulfill the core principles of the HŌʻIHI Program by providing grant funding to successful NHO applicants who meet the criteria for one or more of the following priorities: 

  • Showcase the heritage, places, art, foods, traditions, history and continuing vitality of the Native Hawaiian Community;
  • Identify, enhance, revive, or maintain loea (cultural traditions and practices), wahi kupuna (ancestral spaces) and wahi pana (sacred spaces) that are important to sustain the distinctiveness of the Native Hawaiian Community; and
  • Provide for authentic and respectful visitor experiences in Hawaii.
Grant Award Amounts

Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $200,000 and can be utilized for up to 3 years from the date of award.

Who can apply?

-  Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

-  Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

-  Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

-  Additionally, applicants must meet the definition of and criteria for a “Native Hawaiian Organization” as defined in the NATIVE Act, 130 STAT. 847, Section 3(3), codified at 25 U.S.C. §4352(3). Criteria include:

  1. A nonprofit organization;
  2. that serves the interests of Native Hawaiians;
  3. in which Native Hawaiians serve in substantive and policymaking positions; and
  4. that is recognized for having expertise in Native Hawaiian culture and heritage, including tourism.
Where can I apply?

Applications can be submitted via www.Grants.gov.  Opportunity name "HOIHI Grant Program for Native Hawaiian Organizations;" funding opportunity number: D25AS0027.

Two video conferences will be held for interested applicants to receive an overview of the Heritage Opportunities in Hawaiʻi Program Grant Program and 2025 priorities: 

Session 1: Monday, April 21, 2025, at 12:00 pm HST; Register at https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_khm4elGQReapJSnzBvTnTw 

Session 2: Monday, May 5, 2025, at 12:00 pm HST; Register at  https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN__KayNgDaQXO-XyVQKSzVIQ 

A recording of the presentation will be available at a later date on this website.  Please contact us through hawaiian@ios.doi.gov if you have any questions.

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