Hawaii First Federal Credit Union received the Annual Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Convening's Circle of Honor Award.
The award recognizes a Native American-run CDFI that excels at providing capital and lending to Native American communities to promote development within them.
Hawaii First, located in Kamuela, Hawaii, has been an active lender since before Hawaii became a state.
It's not the first time the organization has been honored for its work: in 2009 Hawaii First received the Dora Maxwell Award for Social Responsibility from the Credit Union National Association.
In a press release the Native CDFI Convening, co-hosted by the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) and First Nations Oweesta Corporation (Oweesta), highlighted "Nou Ka Hale (The Home is Yours)", a program that Hawaii First runs to enable Native Americans access and/or continuing residence on Native American lands in the Aloha State.
OFN CEO Mark Pinsky commended the CDFI on their work in a press release, saying that Hawaii First provides, "important services and support to the low-wealth people and communities they serve."
