H??IHI Grant Program

The Office of Native Hawaiian Relations� (ONHR) Heritage (Tourism) Opportunities in Hawai?i (H??IHI) 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 seq. The purpose of the NATIVE Act is to establish a more inclusive national travel and tourism strategy that has the potential to deliver significant benefits for Native Hawaiian organizations (NHO) as distinctly defined in the NATIVE Act, including job creation, elevated living standards, and expanded economic opportunities. The H??IHI Grant Program is an innovative effort to promote heritage tourism opportunities that utilize Native Hawaiian traditional knowledge to bolster economic development in the Native Hawaiian Community, to advance economic growth in the State of Hawai?i, and to equip Native Hawaiian organizations (NHO) with the needed resources to transform tourism involving historical and sacred sites to be regenerative and collaborative.

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.

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.