Kapapahuliau Frequently Asked Questions

What determines eligibility for this grant opportunity?

Answer:  In general, an organization's eligibility for federal grant assistance will depend on the eligibility criteria listed in the grant notice the organization is responding to. The eligibility criteria listed in the grant notice is derived from the legislation authorizing the grant and other relevant statutes.

For the Kapapahuliau financial assistance opportunity, applicants for all categories (Kiakahi, ʻAuwaʻa, and Hoʻokele) must meet the below definition of a “Native Hawaiian Organization.” 

“Native Hawaiian Organization” or “NHO” means a non-profit organization—

1. that principally serves or benefits the Native Hawaiian Community;

2. is composed primarily of Native Hawaiians, who also control or serve in substantive leadership and decision-making roles; and 

3. has demonstrated expertise in Native Hawaiian heritage, economic development, health and well-being, self-governance, or natural and cultural resources management. 

Native Hawaiian Community means the distinct Native Hawaiian indigenous political community that Congress, exercising its plenary power over Native American affairs, has recognized and with which Congress has implemented a special political and trust relationship. 

Native Hawaiian means any individual who is a descendant of the aboriginal people who, prior to 1778, occupied and exercised sovereignty in the area that now constitutes the State of Hawai‘i.

Non-profit organization means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization, not including IHEs (Institutions of Higher Education), that:

1. Is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest;
2. Is not organized primarily for profit; and
3. Uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operations of the organization.

Referenced from 2 CFR 200.1

Who must attest to being a qualified Native Hawaiian organization for purposes of the Kapapahuliau program?

Answer: – All applicants are required to include in their application submission, per Section D of the NOFO, an attestation or certification signed by a duly authorized NHO representative (such as the Executive Director, CEO, or Board of Directors) acknowledging that the NHO meets the definition and criteria of an NHO specified above. For Category 2 (ʻAuwaʻa) and 3 (Hoʻokele) awardees, all partner NHOs and subawardees, respectively must indicate and include such an attestation.

Does an entity registered with the Department of the Interior under 43 CFR part 47 or 13 CFR part 124 qualify as an NHO under the Kapapahuliau program?

Answer:  Registration on the Department of the Interior’s Native Hawaiian Organization Notification List, the Department’s Homestead & Beneficiary Associations List, or designation as a Native Hawaiian 8(a) business do not automatically make an NHO eligible for the Kapapahuliau program. Please see Section C of the NOFO for specific eligibility requirements.

Does the project need to take place in Hawaiʻi?

Answer:  Yes. See Kapapahuliau NOFO section A2, guiding principles.  The Hawaiian Islands and its environment are essential to the identity of the Native Hawaiian Community. Native Hawaiians have lived in Hawaiʻi since time immemorial, developing an epistimology, culture, values, and society rooted by the distinct physical and spiritual relationships to ʻāina (the land, that which sustains) for which they are from.  The cosmogonic genealogy and creation chant, Kumulipo (source of primordial darkness), reflects this understanding and anchors Native Hawaiians to Hawaiʻi by emphasizing a familial and reciprocal relationship to this land and its environment - where “Hawaiʻi cares for us as we take care of Hawaiʻi”.  For Native Hawaiians, ʻāina is the lifeblood and center of identity, way of life, and culture and, as such, cannot be replicated anywhere else on Earth. Therefore, preservation of the Hawaiian Islands in the face of climate change is essential and vital to the identity of Native Hawaiians everywhere and the resilience of the Native Hawaiian Community.

After the selection of a successful proposal is made, when will be the grantee’s tentative start date?

Answer:  The start date of a selected project will likely be based on the schedule and milestones identified in the successful NHOʻs project proposal and completion and execution of the Partnership Agreement (contract) between the NHO and the Department.  Generally however, we seek to make awards the last week of August, or early September.

What is the allowable project duration?  And how is a funding award allocated for that duration?

Answer:  The project duration can range from 12 to 60 months. 

The start and completion dates for a Kapapahuliau project are not constrained to a federal, state, or other fiscal year. Instead, the project duration is dependent upon the scope of work and delivery schedule included in the project proposal and agreed upon within the grant agreement.  The total amount of funding awarded is allocated throughout the entire project period.  For example, if a Kiakahi project is awarded $1 million dollars over 5 years, that total award amount is spread out over those 5 years (based on the agreed upon budget), and NOT $1 million each year for 5 years.

What types of reports are required? How does the agreement work as far as measuring the progress?  Do we need to submit receipts, photos?

Answer:  Formal progress reports and financial report schedules and details will be finalized within the final grant agreement.  In general, however, ONHR requires formal progress and financial reports every 6 months throughout the project period and will provide a template for these reports.  Certain federal SF forms will be required for final reporting which will be detailed in the final grant agreement.  See section F3: Reporting Requirements, of the Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information.  Additional methods of communication such as email exchanges, virtual meetings, and or site visits, will also be utilized by ONHR as a means of evaluating project progress. Recipients will be encouraged to provide photos with their progress reports in order to help ONHR communicate program progress.  For financial reports, receipts are not needed, and simple expenditures within each budget category will suffice.

All recipients are also expected to attend an annual Kapapahuliau Climate Resilience Program Grantee Meeting held each year for funding recipients. At these meetings, recipient participants will need to be prepared to provide a presentation or similar method of engagement of their current project performance. Presentations will need to summarize details such as: the project goals and objectives; progress made towards completing the objectives and reaching identified milestones; challenges or difficulties encountered; lessons learned or recommendations; project results or outcomes; and reflections on the impact of the project towards the Kapapahuliau Program goal of increasing the resilience of the Native Hawaiian Community to the effects of climate change. Presentations and associated discussions at annual meetings will be recorded and used for reporting and program evaluation purposes. Meeting location and format are subject to change based on planning decisions leading up to the events. 

What is the purpose of the environmental compliance questions and do they apply to my organization? 

Answer:  The environmental compliance questions listed in the Kapapahuliau Notice of Funding Opportunityare meant to assist applicants and ONHR to identify potential environmental compliance requirements under such laws as the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.  For example, if the awarded project includes activities in wetland areas where endangered waterbird species are present (such as ʻalae ʻula and keʻokeʻo), those activities may trigger further review under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.  Another example of a project that might trigger an environmental compliance review is if the project involves any sort of ground disturbance like digging.  Such a project might trigger the need for further consultation under the section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.  

The potential for federal environmental compliance will not be held as a negative for an application.  In fact, ONHR encourages these projects to occur, especially if they will enhance climate resilience for the Native Hawaiian Community. Any specific consultations and reviews will only occur post-award for recipients and ONHR will assist the recipients in their efforts to comply with the applicable environmental laws.

If my organization currently receives funding from a federal grant am I still eligible to apply for a Kapapahuliau grant?

Answer:  Yes, your organization can still apply and receive other federal grants, but there are limitations, such as duplication of benefits.  For more information, please refer to the 2 CFR 200.403(f) and 2 CFR.306(b) of the Uniform Guidance for Grants and Cooperative Agreements. Questions regarding a specific allowable cost may be directed to aqd-fa.onhr@ibc.doi.gov. 

Since our organization qualified as a Native Hawaiian Organization for a HŌʻIHI grant, do we automatically qualify as a Native Hawaiian Organization for the Kapapahuliau funding opportunity?

Answer: No.  The definitions of “Native Hawaiian Organization” for the HŌʻIHI grant under the NATIVE Act and the Kapapahuliau Climate Resilience Program, while having some similarities, do have differences as underscored below in a side-by-side comparison.

Comparison of Definitions of “Native Hawaiian Organization”
NATIVE Act definition	Kapapahuliau NOFO definition
NATIVE HAWAIIAN ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘Native Hawaiian organization’’ means	“Native Hawaiian Organization” or “NHO” means
a nonprofit organization—	a non-profit organization —
(A) that serves the interests of Native Hawaiians;	(A) that principally serves or benefits the Native Hawaiian Community,
(B) in which Native Hawaiians serve in substantive and policymaking positions; and	(B) that is composed primarily of Native Hawaiians, who also control or serve in substantive leadership and decision-making roles; and
(C) that is recognized for having expertise in Native Hawaiian culture and heritage, including tourism.	(C) that has demonstrated expertise in Native Hawaiian heritage, economic development, health and well-being, self-governance, or natural and cultural resources management.

Thus, qualification under one definition does not automatically qualify an organization under the other definition. For each respective funding opportunity, an applicant is required to provide an attestation, signed by a duly authorized representative (such as the Executive Director, CEO, or Board of Directors) acknowledging that the organization meets the definition and criteria of an eligible "Native Hawaiian Organization".

What penalties may be imposed for false statements in an application?

Answer: A false statement made by an applicant, grantee, cooperator, or contractor may result in civil or criminal penalties sought by the Department of Justice through judicial proceedings or civil penalties through administrative actions brought by the Department of the Interior under the Program Fraud Civil Penalties Act of 1986. The Department’s Suspension and Debarment Program (https://www.doi.gov/pam/suspension-debarment) provides a link to Frequently Asked Questions at https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/pfcra-faqs4.2.21.pdf. A false statement includes “[a] representation, certification, affirmation document or other submission that is accompanied by an express certification of truthfulness or accuracy, made with respect to a claim or with respect to eligibility for contracts, grants, loans or other benefits.” Also see 2 CFR 200.435, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.435.

Is registration in SAM.gov and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) required?

Answer: Registration in SAM.gov is required and could take a month or more to finalize. The “Help” tab on the SAM.gov website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. Applicants can contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Help can also be provided by the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC). Contact HI-PTAC for free assistance. Once registered in SAM, entities will be assigned a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered.

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