Native Hawaiian Business Directory: In 2006, Hawai`i Maoli commissioned the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce to survey and interview native Hawaiian businesses to determine how native Hawaiians can become proficient in business. However, the lack of information on the number and identity of native Hawaiian businesses made this survey difficult. The last directory of native Hawaiian businesses was completed in 1997 by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
In October 2007, Hawai`i Maoli was awarded a grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to catalog all native Hawaiian owned/controlled businesses in the United States. Businesses include non-profit organizations and for-profit ventures. The directory will primarily be an online resource but it will be capable of formatting into hard copy (print) and CD-ROM versions.
About Hawai`i Maoli: Hawai'i Maoli is the non-profit 501(c)3 entity of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, a confederation of clubs located throughout the islands of Hawai'i, Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i, O'ahu and Kaua'i, and in the states of Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, Washington State and Virginia.
Founded in 1997 by the Association's leadership, Hawai'i Maoli facilitates cultural and educational grants and contracts that provide services and support to its parent organization and the native Hawaiian community.
Currently Hawai`i Maoli is engaged in several projects that help the native Hawaiian community. For more information on the projects that Hawai`i Maoli is involved, visit our website www.hawaiimaoli.org.
Benefits and Incentives: Because the directory is web-based it allows your business to reach a greater range of clients, which allows you to expand your client base and your business network. The directory benefits the native Hawaiian community at large by supporting economic development and showcasing products and services provided by native Hawaiians and making these available to those who need them. Creating a database will provide organizations with a collection of native Hawaiian businesses, business people, and entrepreneurs from which assessments can be conducted resulting in further research, communication, training, and technical support.
Qualifications: Any for-profit or non-profit venture that is registered with their appropriate state or federal agency is allowed in the directory. All businesses and/or organizations must be owned in whole, or in part, by native Hawaiians.
