Introduction
This paper is aimed at discussing the dynamics of a chosen organization on the tenets of; its purpose or mission, its history, what the organization has accomplished, challenges faced by the organization, and personal opinions regarding the organization. As such, the organization of choice is the Native Hawaiian Legal Defense and Education Fund (NHLDEF).
The NHLDEF was founded in the year 2005 for the sole purpose of protecting the civil rights of the Hawaiians as well as promoting their economic viability. Other than the purpose, the organization also boasts of an extensive mission. NHLDEF, also known as Ho’omaka Foundation is a non-profit national organization that is aimed at improving the Native Hawaiians lives via advocating, promoting and protecting their civil rights. To achieve this goal, the organization undertakes political or legal actions, develops the community economically and educate them about their civil rights. Elaborately, Ho’omaka is focused on carrying out this duty regardless of the social standards, political affiliations, culture, and the economy of the Hawaiians. Further, as part of its mission, Ho’omaka develops policies, laws and the programs that will benefit generations of Hawaiians in the present as well as in the future. Regarding the core areas, the organization focuses on empowering the community by championing for equal employment opportunities, self-determination, community housing, health, and education (Ho’omaka Foundation, 2017).
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As discussed above, the NHLDEF is a kind of NHO. As such, in 2004, all NHO firms were placed under the tribally-owned firms by the Department of Defense Appropriations Act (P.L. 108-87) as per the DOD sole source 8(a) contracts. Consequently, the NHO program was started that required all legitimate NHOs to own an 8(a) firm by 51 percent at the very least. Additionally, 8(a) firms that were NHO-owned were allowed to sign the sole-source DOD contracts whose size was infinite until they surpass a certain cumulative cap. As part of the Native Hawaiian Organization, the NHLDEF was set up in 2005. Regardless of the engaging requirements demanded by the Appropriations Act, the NHO program was permanently set up a year later in 2006 by members of Congress.
In terms of achievements, the organization has significantly provided educational programs that subsequently provide the platform for hands-on training in the form of internships, careers as well as college or university guidance. Additionally, the organization has been of great help to the graduating students from colleges and universities by placing them in their respective career areas. The organization has also been materialistic in providing and promoting socio-economic development to the community which is inclusive of financial capital. As such, by a majority of 51%, NHLDEF owns five subsidiary companies, of which two are 8(a) businesses. This significant accomplishment promulgates further accomplishments via the subsidiary companies. The first subsidiary is the KUKULU LLC which is a healthcare staffing company that has exceedingly succeeded in the medical field through the provision of staffing solutions for the United States treatment facilities.
In addition, KILI LLC is the second subsidiary company that provides solutions and services in IT, security of data as well as assurance. Through this, the NHLDEF has become effective as well as cost-effective from the clients’ points of view. As an 8(a) NHO-owned company, KUHANA & ASSOCIATES accomplishes the tasks as KUKULU LLC but in a wider perspective. The former similarly provides staffing solutions for the healthcare industry in the United States as well as its territories. As part of the NHLDEF education or awareness program, it has set up handlers and pages in the social media through which a platform is provided for getting information concerning the organization, inquiring about the services rendered or launching complaints regarding violation of rights. The company has also been fundamental in setting up a website through which people, especially the Hawaiian natives, can access the organization’s information such as contacts and the services it provides.
However, despite the many accomplishments the organization has achieved, there have been a number of challenges along the way. Regardless of the organization’s efforts to provide and fund education for its natives, the coverage is not as far reaching as expected. Irrespective of its numerous education programs, only a small percentage of Hawaiians can access higher education. Moreover, a significant number of those who enroll for the higher education do not complete their degree which makes it hard for the organization to keep track of the total number of natives assisted by the program. A more critical challenge is the alarmingly huge Hawaiian population growth which is set to further increase in the coming years. The large population has encouraged illegal activities such as theft and minor crimes within the community. As such, most of the natives’ rights are violated almost every day making it hard for the foundation to keep track of every case. The increased population of the natives also makes it hard and tough for the organization to provide or allocate housing for each native. Elaborately, there are too many people competing for few housing resources which leads to reduced living standards. A similar challenge is encountered regarding healthcare.
The NHLDEF is a fundamental part of the Hawaiian community and has been resourceful and helpful. What stands out regarding the organization is its values which are in tandem with the culture of the native people making it easy for the Hawaiians to relate with the organization. NHLDEF has been supportive to the natives significantly even though the progress is slow due to the huge population which has brought with it a number of factors and challenges.
Conclusion
The NHLDEF should lay better strategies that will help curb the challenges facing its ability to provide education to the natives. The funds derived from the for-profit subsidiary companies owned by the organization should be used to provide more housing facilities in a bid to cope with the growing population.
References
The Native Hawaiian Legal Defense & Education Fund , Ho’omaka Foundation. (2017). Web. Retrieved from http://www.nhldef.org/
