About Us
ʻŌlelo noʻeau
He lei hoʻolaha, He lei kaiāulu.
“A Lei Widespread is a Lei of Community”
History
- Kanu o ka ‘Āina Learning ‘Ohana in 2011 sponsored the CDFI as part of its outreach efforts to improve the financial capacity and facilities opportunities for the 17 native Hawaiian charter schools.
- Lei Ho’olaha (the CDFI) became an independent organization in 2011 and received certification by the Department of Treasury in 2014.
- A focus on lending to Native Hawaiian owned small businesses began in 2014
- For operating funds, Lei Ho’olaha has received multiple Technical Assistance and Financial Assistance grants from the U.S. Department of Treasury CDFI Fund as well as support from Kamehameha Schools, Will J. Reid Foundation, Hawaii Community Foundation, and Opportunity Finance Network.
- -U.S. Department of Treasury CDFI Fund provided the initial organizational and operational support as well as ongoing funding.
- -Oweesta has provided excellent consulting support for loan policies and market study analysis
- -Kamehameha Schools provided much of the initial concept funding support
- -Opporunity Finance Network (OFN) has provided technical assistance and grant funding
