LOKAHI: The Hawaiian word meaning unity, harmony, agreement, accord, and oneness. That is the personal philosophy that new Catholic Charities Hawai‘i (CCH) President and CEO Tina Andrade plans to follow in leading our organization.

Replacing Rob Van Tassell, who retired as head of CCH after five years, Andrade becomes the first lay female and Native Hawaiian leader in our organization’s 77-year history.

With her extensive knowledge of the organization’s history, programs, personnel, partners and future potential, Tina is a natural fit to run CCH’s day-to-day operations. But her most important assets are her empathic nature in assisting the most vulnerable in our community, and in inspiring others around her to do the same.

“Raised in a family in which my single mom worked two jobs to make ends meet, I can  relate to others experiencing those similar financial challenges,” Andrade said.

A self-proclaimed “regular local girl,” Tina was born and raised in Honolulu, a graduate of Kamehameha Schools. She began her career as an educator and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Theology from Chaminade University. She also holds an Executive Certificate in Non-Profit Transformational Leadership from Notre Dame University and a Professional Certificate in Human Resource & Workforce Development & Management from Michigan State University and Certificate in Non-Profit Executive Management from the University of San Diego

Helping others while working for charitable organizations has always been part of Tina’s journey (she notes her first job was as a receptionist at Catholic Charities, then Catholic Social Services). Since joining CCH in 2003, Andrade has been a transformative leader, instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission.

In her previous roles as CCH’s Vice President of Mission Integration and Chief Operating Officer, she played a critical role in shaping strategic initiatives, integrating its mission and values into every aspect of the organization’s programs, and managing key operations.

Andrade will also serve as President and CEO of the Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation, the organization’s development arm dedicated to providing affordable housing for seniors, individuals with special needs, and economically disadvantaged families. Her leadership has been particularly impactful in addressing Hawai‘i’s #1 issue, the affordable housing crisis. Under her guidance, CCH secured $200 million to expand affordable housing in Hawai‘i and facilitated the distribution of over $150 million in federal rental assistance during the pandemic.

Spending seven years on Maui raising her family, she feels a personal connection to the Valley Isle residents, particularly those severely impacted by the recent tragic wildfires.

“Our Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation was instrumental in building the Kahului Lani affordable senior rental project and is now scheduled to break ground this year on our Hale Pilina project to provide affordable rental units for families,” Andrade said. “Any construction that can help increase the overall housing inventory on Maui is beneficial for everyone living there.”

While the economic and social challenges that face our local community continue to evolve over the years, CCH’s mission and values remains the same, Andrade notes.

“In times of crisis, as has taken place these recent years, we simply need to be there for one another,” Andrade said. “The only way we’re going to resolve the social issues that challenge our society is if we all work together on the problems at hand.”

LOKAHI, indeed.