WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye is pleased to announce that the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in conjunction with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has awarded twelve grants, totaling $2,516,245. Following a peer review panel process in which each grant application was evaluated and scored, the successful grantees are: (1) a one-year grant to the Anahola Homesteaders Council for the Project Faith, the development of an economic development plan and infrastructure master plan leading to the establishment of a community-based commercial and cultural center benefitting Native Hawaiians residing on homestead land in Anahola on the Island of Kaua'i; (2) a one-year grant to Ha Hawaii for funding to begin the process of informing Native Hawaiians about a convention to consider the restoration of Native Hawaiian self-governance; (3) a one-year grant to Pono Kaulike, Inc., for the Ka Lahui Hawaii Social and Economic Self-Sufficiency Project, to being the process of preparing for a constitutional convention through research and keeping Native Hawaiians informed and the Hale Ku'ai project to provide marketing and income opportunities for Native Hawaiians producers; (4) a one-year grant to Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawaii Nei for a project to restore the ancestral foundation through the reburial of Na Iwi Kupuna, through the reinterment of Native Hawaiian human remains, and for the conduct of community workshops on reburial protocol and to preserve and advocate for Native Hawaiian repatriation, burial and cultural rights; (5) a one-year grant to the Friends of Moku'ula, Inc., for a project to begin the process of restoring, protecting and preserving the historically-significant Hawaiians Island and pond at Lahaina known as Moku'ula, which will enable the Friends of Moku'ula to obtain title to the site and begin the restoration process; (6) a two-year grant to Ka'ala Farm, Inc., for the preservation and practice of Native Hawaiian culture through the growth and use of native plants by selecting plants for the distribution and planting program, implementing community nurseries, and implementing a public service campaign; (7) a one-year grant to Hui Laulima Cooperative for the organization and establishment of a homesteader-owned agricultural business among Hawaiian Home Land agricultural lessees in order to produce and market agricultural products cooperatively; (8) a one-year grant to the Friends of Malaekahana, for a diversified agriculture program designed to help Native Hawaiians return to the land for their livelihood by using the sonic boom system to grow organic vegetables for local consumption and indigenous Hawaiian medicinal plants; (9) a seventeen-month grant to Hina-Malailena for the provision of support services to assist fledgling businesses in their start-up, the development of marketing strategies and managers duties, and to launch the operations of the Hana Village Marketplace; (10) a two-year grant to the Pacific American Foundation for a project to train community resource monitors to collect community observation and technical data under the guidance of master fisherman from the community of Mo'omomi, Molokai and fisheries scientists; (11) a two-year grant to the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture to help prepare Native Hawaiians on the Waianae Coast to become teachers in their own community; and (12) a one-year grant to the Waianae Coast Community Mental Health Center, Inc., for a project to develop a therapeutic psycho-educational, cultural enrichment and survival skills program, employing the existing strengths of both western and traditional Native Hawaiian approaches to health and overall wellness.

"The Administration for Native Americans and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are to be commended for entering into this joint funding arrangement that has enabled the support for these innovative Native Hawaiian proposals," said Senator Inouye.

"I believe we will see great things come from these projects. It is inspiring to see Native Hawaiians demonstrate both the initiative and the resourcefulness to undertake efforts which will undoubtedly shape the economic, educational, health and political future of the Native Hawaiian community," continued Inouye.

The Administration for Native Americans has also awarded a three-year contract to Eric Kapono of Hilo, Hawaii, for the provision of training and technical assistance for current and potential ANA grantees.