Board President‘s Message

Our times require a working vision and an innovative collaborative approach to achieve our common goals. The Hawai‘i Capital National Heritage Area (HCNHA) initiative is a creative strategy to strengthen and share Hawai‘i‘s cultural identities and values. HCCC‘s purpose is and has been to bring a cross section of people together in order to help create additional platforms on which you may share, preserve and honor the stories of our indigenous Hawaiian ancestors and multi-cultural society.

HCCC believes establishment of the Hawai‘i Capital National Heritage Area will serve as a catalyst for: preservation and enhancement of cultural goals and values; education outreach and access; strengthening of our cultural venues and organizations; virtual and physical infrastructure support; and economic development stimulation.

We are grateful for the commitment and dedication of more than 300 volunteers representing over 60 partner organizations that has brought us this far. Many people at home in Hawai‘i are passionate about their special projects to make a difference in their communities. This designation (Congressional Bills S.359 and H.R. 1297) will provide programmatic support for making dreams a reality or aiding projects already in progress.

What you need to know is we have not yet begun the process to create the plan. After HCNHA receives designation, the next step is for the communities to create a mutually-agreed upon plan over the next one to three years that identifies programs, partnerships, and re-granting opportunities for people and organizations to tell their own stories in their own ways.

Education programs, cultural training, interpretive materials and exhibits, support for cultural sites and activities, conservation and preservation, physical improvements, signage and way-finding, and economic development projects are just some of the potential projects the NHA partners may choose to support. There are now 41 National Heritage Areas where folks have customized their plan to fit their own needs. HCCC, a grassroots nonprofit that slowly began building over the last several years, will do the same with your help.

Designation as a National Heritage Area will provide long term access to federal funding and other assistance, and create cross-programmatic partnerships to carry-out this plan. The funds can be matched with your in-kind services or any other funds, other than federal. People in NHAs have seen a return on their efforts and funds at a 10:1 ratio, but the positive ripple effect on people's hearts and lives are immeasurable.

The planning process and participation the NHA is open to all and we call upon you to become engaged or re-engaged in our efforts. Together, we can help preserve all that should be remembered and retold today, in your own words and with your own actions. Working in partnership, we can do our part to generate a future that is bright, peaceful, and just. And as conscientious collaborators, we can develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the diverse stories of Hawai'i's incomparable heritage that defines who we are today.

We each have a unique story to tell our children, our nation and world. Mahalo.

With aloha,

Mona Abadir
HCCC Board President

NHAs and Private Property

by Trisha Kehaulani Watson, JD, PhD

Aloha mai!
I am very excited to come on board to support the HCCC. As a member of the Native Hawaiian community, I have a great appreciation for the opportunities this designation provides for the Honolulu ‘Ahupua‘a.  This area has a tremendously rich history.  I look forward to working with HCCC to help share this significant history with communities throughout Hawai‘i and the world.

As a strong supporter of Native Hawaiian self-determination, I can appreciate that a small minority of Hawaiians and private property owners have concerns about the impact this designation will have. I have personally looked closely at the laws and proposed legislation, and I am confident in saying that the concerns and allegations are unfounded. The General Accounting Office (GAO) conducted a study that showed that National Heritage Areas have no impact on private property. The report reads:

This designation would bring much needed resources into the area. This is an opportunity to obtain funding for cultural and educational programs that can be developed to teach our keiki about the area‘s proud history. The fact that these funds come from the Park Service should not be confused as a jurisdictional issue. This is simply an opportunity to create jobs and culturally sound programs in our community that would otherwise continue to go unfunded. I strongly urge people to look at the many positive impacts this designation has had on the other 49 areas in the United States, especially for the cultures of native peoples and ethnic minorities.

We have completed a report about HCCC's progress. 2009 was a very successful year, and it is turning out to be a very exciting spring. There are new partnerships being developed every day, and I look forward to sharing our upcoming activities and programs with everyone soon! People should not forget that with designation comes a three-year planning process that allows our community to shape our collective future.

I encourage anyone with questions to contact me through HCCC at:



I would have happy to come discuss this wonderful opportunity with you or your organization.