The Chenari were a species who were saved from extinction through the actions of James T. Kirk many years prior to the end of his five-year mission in command of the USS Enterprise.
In 2378, Icheb included this information, along with Kirk's encounters with the Pelosians and the Baezians, in his final report to Captain Kathryn Janeway, as part of the Early Starfleet History course of his Academy training. (VOY: "Q2")
It was not stated whether Kirk was in command of Enterprise during his encounter with the Chenari.