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Hawaii

McKinney-Vento Support for Hawaii School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison in Hawaii, you likely oversee multiple duties within your district. From Oahu to the Big Island and beyond, our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while easing your administrative burden.

Hawaii
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The Challenge in Hawaii

Hawaii presents a unique and complex landscape for addressing student homelessness, characterized by its island geography, high cost of living, and diverse population across urban and rural settings.

3,542 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; the total enrollment was over 170k; Hawaii's identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 2.1%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a pervasive struggle across Hawaii, significantly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students, exacerbated by the islands' finite land space and high cost of living.
 
  • In urban areas like Honolulu (O'ahu) or Kahului (Maui), while there may be a higher concentration of services and shelters, homelessness can also be highly visible, with students residing in emergency shelters, motels, or in unsheltered conditions.
  • Rural areas face distinct challenges due to limited resources, fewer shelters, and minimal support services, often making homelessness more difficult to identify and address effectively, with families frequently relying on informal networks or living in substandard, unsheltered conditions.
  • Many students experience homelessness by living in doubled-up situations with others due to economic hardship or loss of housing. In the 2022-2023 school year, it was 83.1% of those identified.2
  • Extremely high housing costs, with median home values far exceeding the national average. This is driven by limited land availability due to the islands' geology, combined with high demand from both residents and out-of-state buyers.

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across Hawaii contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students, with unique challenges arising from the island geography.
 
  • In urban centers, challenges can include the expense of public transit (e.g., TheBus on O'ahu), navigating complex routes, and long commutes across densely populated areas to maintain school stability, especially for students whose temporary housing is far from their school of origin.
  • In rural and less developed areas, the primary obstacles are the sheer lack of public transportation options, vast distances, and the logistical complexities of transporting students, sometimes even across islands for specialized programs, compounding barriers to consistent school attendance.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3  Hawaii identified 2.1% during the 2022-2023 school year.

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How McKinney-Vento.org Supports Hawaii Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

We help you meet federal regulations with up-to-date checklists, policy templates, and annual audit preparation tailored for Hawaiian schools.

Enhanced Identification: Your "Army of Awareness"

Custom training materials and awareness campaigns adapted for rural and urban districts help staff recognize housing insecurity early.

Comprehensive Training

Live webinars and on-demand modules-covering trauma-informed practices, transportation logistics, and rural outreach-available year round.

Data Management and Funding Support

Tools to track students, manage eligibility, and access local/federal funding (e.g., Title I, II) help boost resource allocation.

Expert Guidance and Advocacy Support

Subject Matter Experts with many years of McKinney-Vento implementation are ready to provide support on challenging cases, work through situations and help you connect with resources to support your work.
Testimonial

Success with McKinney-Vento.org

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Featured

“ As I changed school districts this last year, I have become more aware of the homelessness in the school systems. I have moved to a district with many newcomers and most have come with out parents or guardians. This information is very helpful. I am going to pay more attention to situations and help when needed. ”

Cynthia J.

Hawaii

Why Hawaii Districts Choose McKinney-Vento.org

check-mark McKinney-Vento Expertise

McKinney-Vento.org delivers specialized training and compliance tools for identifying and supporting students experiencing homelessness under federal education law.

 

check-mark Proven Results Since 2014

Our track record speaks for itself – from small rural districts to large urban systems, we've consistently delivered measurable improvements in homeless student support and educational stability.

 

check-mark The Only Turnkey Solution Available

From training to data management to funding support, we provide everything you need in one comprehensive platform.

 

State Coordinator Contact

Toby Portner, State Coordinator, Education for Homeless Children and Youth
Phone: (808) 305-9868

Citations

1,2,3 Child and Youth Homelessness Data Profiles powered by University of Michigan Poverty Solutions and SHC

Ready to Better Support Hawaii's Homeless Students?

Join the Hawaiian districts using McKinney-Vento.org to improve outcomes for students experiencing homelessness.

We'll help you find the funding and build internal support to make this program successful in your district.

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