Ho’omohala- CDFI Support of Native Hawaiian Self-Sufficiency

Waianae Economic Development Council will develop their emerging Native CDFI to foster the development of stable, diversified local economies and economic activities that provide jobs and business opportunities to improve the economic wellbeing and self-sufficiency in the Native Hawaiian community of Waianae. Currently, the employment rate for Native Hawaiian adults on the Waianae Coast is the lowest in the state at 84%, relative to Native Hawaiians statewide at 93%. This project will support 150 Native Hawaiian applicants in improving their current credit score and provide culturally relevant small business development training. Upon certification as a CDFI, Waianae Economic Development Council will be able to access more funds to redistribute to qualified participants from the training. Ultimately this project aims to bring the Median Household Income of Native Hawaiians living on the Waianae Coast to a comparable level of the Median Household Income for the entire state of Hawai’i by the year 2050.