WASHINGTON – APIAHF Counselor Dr. Kamana‘opono M. Crabbe was sworn in as a Commissioner on the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. The Commission, co-chaired by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai, advises the President on ways the public, private and non-profit sectors can work together to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.  

“We are thrilled that President Biden has appointed Dr. Kamana‘opono M. Crabbe to serve on the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander,” said Juliet K. Choi, President and CEO, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum. “A life-long advocate for health equity for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities and a revered elder, Dr. Crabbe will bring a wealth of expertise and insight to the Commission.”

Dr. Crabbe is a seasoned spokesperson and representative for the Native Hawaiian community on Native Hawaiian rights, social inequities, community health and resilience, and cultural, educational, economic, and political issues affecting Native Hawaiians, Hawai‘i and the Pacific. For over 30 years, he has focused his personal, academic, and professional career toward improving Native Hawaiian health and well-being. He has received several formal awards recognizing his executive leadership and accomplishments, such as the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education Leadership Award, The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s Native Hawaiian Advocate Award, and the Hawai‘i Psychological Association’s Patrick H. DeLeon, Ph.D. Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a board member for several organizations including aio Foundation, `Aha Kane Foundation for the Advancement of Native Hawaiian Males, and Ekolu Mea Nui nonprofit. 

APIAHF congratulates all the new Commissioners who were sworn in including the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders Executive Director Krystal Ka’ai; APIAHF’s Community Partner ACDC founder and president Vida Lin; and Sameera Fazili. 

The official White House announcement can be found here.

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