Hawaiian charter schools get $2.2M
Star-Bulletin staff
Calling it one of its largest-ever funding awards, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs said it will give $2.2 million to 14 public charter schools that operate with a Hawaiian cultural focus.
OHA said the money is intended to help make up for chronic under-funding of charter schools by the Legislature, which has left many Hawaiian-focused schools in dire financial straits.
Many schools lack adequate or permanent facilities, and some "face the tragic prospect of closing entirely in the near future," OHA's grant announcement said.
"We hope that other community partners will also help increase funding for the schools," said Haunani Apoliona, chairwoman of the OHA board of trustees.
Of the state's 27 charter schools, 14 are considered "Hawaiian-focused" by virtue of Hawaiian language or other strong Hawaiian cultural aspects in their instruction. They are Ka Umeke Kaeo, Ka Waihona O Ka Naauao, Kanu O Ka Aina, Kanuikapono, Ke Ana Laahana, Ke Kula Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki, Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha, Ke Kula O Kamakau, Kua O Ka La, Kualapuu, Kula Aupuni Niihau A Kahelelani Aloha, Hakipuu Learning Center, Halau Ku Mana and Halau Lokahi.
The funding will be distributed based on each school's size and proportion of Hawaiian students.
The Legislature appropriated about $32 million this year for each of the next two years to the state's charter schools, which enjoy flexibility on management and instructional approaches. That is several million short of what they should have gotten under a state funding formula.
Community assistance will become crucial as the Department of Education focuses increasingly on raising performance at traditional public schools, said Jim Shon, executive director of the Charter School Administrative Office.
"So far, only the Hawaiian community has stepped forward, but we hope to interest corporate and other donors in the great things charter schools are doing," Shon said.
Nearly 1,700 students attend Hawaiian-focused charter schools. About 93 percent of them are of Hawaiian ancestry.