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. [...]

The funding will be distributed based on each school's size and proportion of Hawaiian students.