OHA Trustees’ October 29, 2025, Budget and Finance Committee meeting

OHA and HNC Launch Nā ʻElele o Kahikina Congressional Fellows Program in Washington, D.C.

News release from OHA, Nov 4, 2025

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and the Hawaiian Native Corporation (HNC) are proud to announce the launch of the Nā ʻElele o Kahikina Congressional Fellows Program, a unique opportunity to prepare the next generation of Native Hawaiian leaders for influential roles in government, policy, and advocacy.

Administered in part by E Ala E and the Nākūpuna Foundation, this competitive fellowship will sponsor up to six college graduates to spend up to one full year in Washington, D.C. Fellows will gain first-hand experience in the heart of federal policymaking — working in congressional offices, observing committees and caucuses, and engaging with key community and national partners.

“For generations, our aliʻi and kūpuna have carried Hawaiʻi’s voice to the highest levels of government with courage and dignity,” said OHA Board Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele. “Nā ʻElele o Kahikina continues that legacy by empowering our young ʻŌiwi to serve as messengers of our lāhui — bringing the wisdom of our islands to national conversations that shape our collective future.”

The fellowship name reflects the bridge between past, present, and future. Kahiki honors ancestral homelands and voyaging toward new horizons, and Kahikina signifies arrival, renewal, and enlightenment. As ʻelele, messengers and ambassadors, the Fellows represent a lineage of Kanaka ʻŌiwi leaders rooted in Hawaiʻi while growing and expanding their knowledge in Washington DC.

Today, emerging leaders are rising to ʻauamo kuleana (take on their role and responsibility) inspired by those who have gone before them to help shape the decisions that will affect Hawaiʻi’s future.

Fellows will receive comprehensive financial support, including stipends to cover housing, transportation, and relocation expenses, ensuring accessibility for all qualified applicants.

Applications for the first quarter (January, February and March) of 2026 will close on Friday, November 21, 2025. Applications for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2026 will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis. Due to the limited number of congressional fellowship placements, early application is strongly encouraged.

For eligibility criteria and application instructions, visit www.oha.org/naeleleokahikina.

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2019: OHA renames and expands Congressional Fellowship - Ka Wai Ola --  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) held a dedication ceremony last month to officially rename the Native Hawaiian Congressional Fellowship to the Daniel K. Akaka Congressional Fellowship.