Opportunity Information: Apply for D26AS00098
Apply for D26AS00098
- The Interior Business Center in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "HOIHI Grant Program for Native Hawaiian Organizations" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.068.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-31.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: 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, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The HOIHI Grant Program for Native Hawaiian Organizations is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the Office of the Secretary, Interior Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD). It is offered under an interagency agreement with the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations (ONHR). The program is designed to put into practice the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (the NATIVE Act, 25 U.S.C. 4351 et seq.) by supporting tourism and visitor-experience efforts in Hawaii that are led by Native Hawaiian organizations and rooted in Native Hawaiian values.
At the center of the program is the Hawaiian concept of hoihi, meaning to treat with reverence and respect. The opportunity frames tourism as something more reciprocal and values-based than conventional visitor activities. Instead of positioning people as tourists passing through, the program emphasizes welcoming visitors as guests who share kuleana, or responsibility, to care for Hawaii's natural resources and sacred places. In practical terms, HOIHI aims to strengthen the ability of Native Hawaiian organizations to steward cultural and traditional knowledge and to share it in ways that are appropriate, respectful, and beneficial to Native Hawaiian communities.
The program also has a clear economic and community development focus. HOIHI funding is intended to help Native Hawaiian organizations build capacity and implement projects that can create jobs, raise living standards, and expand economic opportunity, while also protecting cultural heritage and place-based resources. Projects are expected to align with the NATIVE Act's intent to improve visitor experiences through authentic, community-driven approaches, rather than extractive or purely commercial tourism models.
A key requirement is that funded projects must do more than generally support culturally grounded tourism. Every successful application must also advance at least one of the Administration priorities listed under the program's "Program Priorities for 2026" section. In other words, proposals need to connect their planned activities both to the NATIVE Act and to one or more stated federal priority areas for that year.
Eligibility is limited to Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs). For this program, an NHO is defined as a nonprofit organization that serves the interests of Native Hawaiians, has Native Hawaiians in substantive and policymaking roles, and is recognized for expertise in Native Hawaiian culture and heritage, including tourism. The source listing also indicates eligible applicant types such as certain tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (in both cases, other than institutions of higher education), and "others," but the narrative makes clear that the intended and qualifying applicants under this announcement are NHOs meeting the stated definition.
Funding details indicate an award ceiling of $200,000 per award, with approximately 10 awards expected. The opportunity is categorized under community development, uses the grant funding instrument type, and is associated with CFDA number 15.068. The funding opportunity number is D26AS00098, and the agency listed is the Interior Business Center. The notice was created on March 31, 2026, and the original application closing date is June 8, 2026. Only one application may be submitted per organization and/or program director, which means organizations should prioritize a single, well-scoped proposal rather than submitting multiple concepts under the same announcement.
HOIHI Grant Program for Native Hawaiian Organizations (D26AS00098) - FAQs
What is the HOIHI Grant Program for Native Hawaiian Organizations?
The HOIHI Grant Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity that supports tourism and visitor-experience efforts in Hawaii that are led by Native Hawaiian organizations and rooted in Native Hawaiian values. It is designed to put into practice the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (the NATIVE Act, 25 U.S.C. 4351 et seq.).
Which federal agency administers this grant?
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the Office of the Secretary, Interior Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD). It is offered under an interagency agreement with the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations (ONHR).
What does "hoihi" mean in the context of this program?
Hoihi is described as a Hawaiian concept meaning to treat with reverence and respect. The grant frames tourism as reciprocal and values-based, emphasizing respect for Hawaii's natural resources, sacred places, and cultural heritage.
How does this program define tourism and visitor experience?
Rather than viewing people as tourists passing through, the program emphasizes welcoming visitors as guests who share kuleana (responsibility) to care for Hawaii's natural resources and sacred places. The intent is to support authentic, community-driven visitor experiences that are appropriate, respectful, and beneficial to Native Hawaiian communities.
What is the purpose of the HOIHI program?
The program aims to strengthen the ability of Native Hawaiian organizations to steward cultural and traditional knowledge and share it in ways that are appropriate and respectful. It also aims to support projects that can create jobs, raise living standards, and expand economic opportunity while protecting cultural heritage and place-based resources.
How is this grant connected to the NATIVE Act?
The opportunity is explicitly designed to implement the NATIVE Act by supporting efforts that improve visitor experiences through authentic, community-driven approaches, rather than extractive or purely commercial tourism models.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs). The announcement describes an NHO as a nonprofit organization that serves the interests of Native Hawaiians, has Native Hawaiians in substantive and policymaking roles, and is recognized for expertise in Native Hawaiian culture and heritage, including tourism.
Are any other applicant types listed as eligible?
The source listing indicates eligible applicant types such as certain tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (in both cases, other than institutions of higher education), and "others." However, the narrative makes clear that the intended and qualifying applicants under this announcement are Native Hawaiian Organizations that meet the stated NHO definition.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $200,000 per award.
How many awards are expected to be made?
Approximately 10 awards are expected.
What type of funding instrument is used?
This opportunity uses a grant as the funding instrument type.
What is the program category for this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under community development.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA number is 15.068.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is D26AS00098.
Which agency is listed on the opportunity?
The agency listed is the Interior Business Center.
When was the notice created?
The notice was created on March 31, 2026.
What is the application closing date?
The original application closing date is June 8, 2026.
How many applications can an organization submit?
Only one application may be submitted per organization and/or program director. Organizations are expected to prioritize a single, well-scoped proposal rather than submitting multiple concepts under the same announcement.
What kinds of projects does HOIHI fund?
The program supports tourism and visitor-experience efforts in Hawaii that are led by Native Hawaiian organizations and rooted in Native Hawaiian values. Projects are expected to improve visitor experiences through authentic, community-driven approaches and to support stewardship of cultural and traditional knowledge in ways that are appropriate and respectful.
Does the program emphasize economic and community development outcomes?
Yes. The funding is intended to help Native Hawaiian organizations build capacity and implement projects that can create jobs, raise living standards, and expand economic opportunity, while also protecting cultural heritage and place-based resources.
Do projects need to align with any federal priorities beyond the NATIVE Act?
Yes. Funded projects must do more than generally support culturally grounded tourism. Every successful application must also advance at least one of the Administration priorities listed under the program's "Program Priorities for 2026" section, in addition to connecting planned activities to the NATIVE Act.
What is the role of Native Hawaiian values in proposed projects?
Native Hawaiian values are central to the program. The opportunity emphasizes reverence and respect (hoihi), kuleana (shared responsibility), stewardship of cultural and traditional knowledge, and protection of natural resources and sacred places, with visitor experiences grounded in those values.
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