HŌʻIHI Grant Program

The Office of Native Hawaiian Relations' (ONHR) Heritage (Tourism) Opportunities in Hawaiʻi (HŌʻIHI) Grant Program serves to implement the provisions of the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act), 25 U.S.C. 4351 et

The Hawaiian value of hōʻihi (to treat with reverence or respect), as reflected in the ʻōlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb) "E hōʻihi aku, e hōʻihi mai," meaning "show respect, get respect", represents the core principle of ONHR's Hōʻihi Grant Program. Through showing respect, visitors (tourists) can then be welcomed as guests with a shared kuleana (responsibility) in perpetuating the values and importance of Native Hawaiian traditional knowledge and cultural practices. This ʻōlelo noʻeau serves as a foundational guide for ONHR's Hōʻihi Grant Program to aide in actions that: 1) Showcase the heritage, places, art, foods, traditions, history and continuing vitality of the Native Hawaiian Community; 2)Identify, enhance, revive, or maintain lōea (cultural traditions and practices), wahi kūpuna (ancestral spaces) and wahi pana (sacred spaces) that are important to sustain the distinctiveness of the Native Hawaiian Community; and 3)Provide for authentic and respectful visitor experiences in Hawaiʻi. These grants and subsequent actions by NHOs are also expected to facilitate job creation, stimulate economic activity, and contribute to elevating the living standards in the Native Hawaiian Community. The funds are used to provide technical assistance and financial assistance to Native Hawaiian organizations to enable them to fully participate in the tourism industry and improve self-determination and self-governance capabilities to promote greater self-sufficiency.

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: A nonprofit organization; that serves the interests of Native Hawaiians; in which Native Hawaiians serve in substantive and policymaking positions; and that is recognized for having expertise in Native Hawaiian culture and heritage, including tourism.

Assistance will support efforts of Native Hawaiian organizations to do the following: share about the Native Hawaiian Community as the indigenous people of Hawai'i; use arts and humanities to help revitalize, promote economic development, increase livability; share with and engage guests in growing awareness and the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture; other section purposes.

Awards are made on an annual basis when Congress appropriates the funding. The funds remain available until expended by the grantee pursuant to the terms and conditions of the award and the authority under which the funds were appropriated. Specific requirements are included in the Notice of Funding Opportunity and the award's terms and conditions.

Applications will be screened by the Financial Assistance Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements as posted in the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.grants.gov. Application screening may include, but is not limited to, the following activities: program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; submission is timely; and complete and properly executed SF-424 application package, including required documents and attachments. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review. The Merit Review Criteria is stated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity as posted on www.grants.gov. The Financial Assistance Officer will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations, the Financial Assistance Officer will evaluate variables such as Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, financial stability, quality of management systems, past performance meeting prior award terms and conditions, reports and findings of audits performed, and applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other program requirements. The Office of Native Hawaiian Relations will approve the final awards.

All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the notice of funding opportunity, program regulations, and statutes. All timely submitted and qualified proposals are reviewed by program staff and a financial assistance official. Unsuccessful applicants will receive notice in writing. All approved grants will be awarded using GrantSolutions and recipient payments will be made using the U.S. Department of Treasury's Automated Standard Applications (ASAP) for the payments system.

Further information will be available in the Notice of Funding Opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the point of contact listed in the funding opportunity announcement. Most awards are anticipated within 90 days or less after the announcement closes.

Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, will provide all applicants with information for non-selected applications.