Kamehameha Schools is giving $4.8 million to help 12 Hawaiian-focused charter schools across the state and $3.9 million to support the state's efforts to create transitional housing for homeless on the Wai'anae Coast.

The "impact grants" address the highly publicized problems of homelessness in Hawai'i, particularly on the Wai'anae Coast, and the lack of adequate facilities funding for state charter schools, said Dee Jay Mailer, chief executive officer of Kamehameha Schools.

"We're privileged to be able to share some of the benefits and the gifts that Kamehameha has received from our princess by giving the charter schools across our state $4.8 million of that $8.7 million," Mailer said. "Also, we know that this state has a significant issue that we are all looking for a resolution to. And that is, none of us want to see families, adults or children, in a houseless situation. ... That $8.7 million, part of it will also be shared to contribute to families that do not have houses right now but certainly deserve a house to live in."

Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools are on their own when it comes to finding — and paying for — a home. Not only do charter schools receive less money than regular public schools, but a significant portion of what they get is spent on facilities.

Kamehameha Schools worked with 12 Hawaiian-focused charter schools on O'ahu, Kaua'i and the Big Island to identify facility problems that could be solved within the next year with the grant money. A total of $4.8 million is being given to the schools for projects such as facilities repairs and remodeling, renovations, upgrades for Americans With Disabilities Act compliance, lighting and security systems.

Alvin Parker, principal of Kai Wai Hona 'O Ka Na'auao Public Charter School, said his school plans to use the grant to build a locker room to support a newly founded physical education program at the school. He also said the money would contribute to the building of a new classroom and for ADA compliance issues on campus.

"This is a blessing, obviously, anytime someone provides charter schools with the kind of support that Kamehameha Schools provides us," Parker said.

Parker knows firsthand the facility issues that charter schools face. The first home for the students of Ka Wai Hona Public Charter School was a 4,000-square-foot renovated chicken coop in Makaha. The school had three different homes before settling on its current site at the former Nanaikapono Elementary School.

Kamehameha is also awarding a grant of $3.9 million to the state to support the development of transitional housing and family learning centers on the Wai'anae Coast. In particular, the grant money will be used for a planned transitional site off St. Johns Road in Lualualei.

Kaulana Park, the state's homeless solutions team coordinator, said the $34 million project will be located on 30 acres of federal land. The state is currently in the process of working with the federal government to transfer the land to the state.

"We're hoping that by early February we'll secure the parcel," Park said.

The first phase of the project will include five buildings of single-family units and a community center with preschool, daycare, adult education and job-placement components. The housing will include studios and two-bedroom units for up to 220 people, Park said. The state has set aside $8.4 million for the construction and operation of the first phase, and the rest of the $34 million price tag will come from community and private donations such as that made by Kamehameha Schools.

The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The second phase of the project will include 240 affordable rentals built by private developers following the completion of the first phase of transitional housing.

The project is important because it will focus on rehabilitation and getting families back on their feet, Park said.

"It's really to create self-sufficiency and to be sure our families have a permanent home and the opportunities that you and I have," Park said.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.