Robin Danner

Robin Danner
Born1962 or 1963 (age 63–64)[1]
Niumalu, Hawaii, U.S.
OccupationsNative Hawaiian activist, sovereignty advocate, non-profit executive, and community developer
Known forfounding the Hawaiian Council
MovementUnited States federal recognition of Native Hawaiians

Robin Puanani Danner (born 1962 or 1963) is a prominent Native Hawaiian activist, sovereignty advocate, non-profit executive, and community developer. She is best known as the founding director of the Hawaiian Council (formerly the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement) and chief executive officer from 2001 to 2013. Danner has also served as the elected chair of the Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations (SCHHA), the largest self-governing federation of homestead associations dedicated to Native Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination.[2][3]

In 2023, Danner departed SCHHA after 8 years to serve as a senior policy advisor to Governor Josh Green.[4]

Career and advocacy

Hawaiian Council

In 2001, Danner founded the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) (now known as Hawaiian Council), establishing it as a national umbrella organization for community-based organizations serving Native Hawaiians, including the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Papa Ola Lokahi, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Alu Like, and attorney Melody MacKenzie.[5]

Under her leadership, the Hawaiian Council became a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), facilitating federal funding and private capital for Hawaiian homesteads.[6] She also started the annual Native Hawaiian Convention, which has drawn over 2,000 participants every year; the first statewide Native Loan Fund; the Hawai’i Family Finance Project to promote financial literacy; the Homestead Self Help Program; and the Hawaiian Way Fund to advance philanthropy.[7][8] She earned the Native Visionary Leader Award in 2012 from Opportunity Finance Network, the leading national network of community development financial institutions, for her leadership in establishing and helping others to establish native CDFIs.[9] For her founding of Hawaiian Lending & Investments, Danner also earned the 2023 Native CDFI Seed Capital Award for its strategy to invest in Native Hawaiian agriculture.[10]

Homestead advocacy

From 2015 to 2023, Danner served as the elected chair of the Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations (SCHHA), the largest self-governing federation of homestead associations dedicated to Native Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination. She was the first woman to lead the organization in its 37-year history.[2] Her work focuses on affordable housing, community lending, and the administration of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.[11] Under her leadership, SCHHA founded the Homestead Community Development Corporation in 2009 and acquired Halenani Street Apartments, the first Native Hawaiian-owned fee property off-Native lands in Hawaii.[3]

In 2018, Danner and her son Garrett Danner were arrested with trespassing and interfering with a government official during a protest on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands land near Anahola, Hawaii.[12]

Native Hawaiian activism

Danner is a prominent advocate for federal recognition of Native Hawaiians and has lobbied for the Akaka Bill, which died in 2010.[13][2] In 2011, Governor Neil Abercrombie appointed her to the first Native Hawaiian Roll Commission, which was charged with preparing and maintaining a roll of qualified Native Hawaiians as basis for participation in the organization of a Native Hawaiian governing entity.[8] Danner has also participated in Hawaiian sovereignty discussions with the Obama administration and the Biden administration.[14][15]

Elections

In 2006, Danner unsuccessfully ran for election as a trustee to the board of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.[16][17]

Personal life

Danner was born and raised in Niumalu on Kauaʻi.[18][19] She was also raised on Navajo, Hopi, and Apache reservations in Arizona and lived for 25 years among the Iñupiat people of Alaska before moving back to Kauaʻi.[12][20] She is a former president of the National Bank of Alaska.[12]

References

  1. ^ Donnelly, Christine (2000-03-20). "Holo I Mua". archives.starbulletin.com. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  2. ^ a b c "Homestead leaders elect new governing council chair | Maui Now". | Homestead leaders elect new governing council chair. 2023-02-19. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  3. ^ a b Wild, Elyse (2022-03-14). "'A WOUND BEING HEALED': Hawaiian Homestead nonprofit fights housing crisis with property acquisition". Tribal Business News. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  4. ^ "CNHA Inside Track: Robin Danner Snags Gig in Governor's Office > Hawaii Free Press". Hawaiifreepress.com. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  5. ^ "As DHHL War Rages, Robin Danner Relinquishes Presidency of CNHA > Hawaii Free Press". hawaiifreepress.com. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  6. ^ Yerton, Stewart (2022-07-17). "Out Of The Shadows: Native Hawaiian Nonprofit Is Suddenly In The Spotlight". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  7. ^ Hiraishi, Kuʻuwehi (2024-10-01). "CNHA Convention Informed, Inspired and Energized". Ka Wai Ola. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  8. ^ a b "Native Hawaiian Roll Commission Named | Department of Hawaiian Home Lands". dhhl.hawaii.gov. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  9. ^ Opportunity Finance Network (2014-11-20). 2012 Native Visionary Leader Awardee Speech Robin Danner. Retrieved 2026-04-09 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Held, Elizabeth (2023-11-21). "Native CDFIs Knock Down Barriers to Finance Justice". OFN. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  11. ^ "Breaking Trails in Native Hawaiian Homelands | Enterprise Community Partners". Enterprisecommunity.org. 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  12. ^ a b c Parachini, Allan (2018-10-19). "Kauai: Prominent Native Hawaiian Activist Arrested At Encampment". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  13. ^ Fujimori, Leila (2010-12-25). "Akaka Bill backers vow to plod on as foes cheer". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  14. ^ Perez, Rob (2014-06-19). "Obama's move on Hawaiian recognition faces long road". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  15. ^ Omaye, Jayna (2022-12-19). "U.S. Interior Department office seeks to better serve native communities". Hawai'i Public Radio. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  16. ^ "Ka Wai Ola O OHA - Vol 23 No 10" (PDF). Kawaiola.news. October 2006. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  17. ^ "General Election 2006 - State of Hawaii - Statewide" (PDF). Files.hawaii.gov. November 7, 2006. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  18. ^ "Call of 'ohana brings advocate for natives home to Islands". Tonoluluadvertiser.com. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  19. ^ Schaefers, Allison (2025-10-13). "Native Hawaiian empowerment gains momentum". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  20. ^ "Robin Danner – Oweesta Corporation". Oweesta.org. Retrieved 2026-04-09.

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