More than a third of the $1 million in community grants that make up the Wai'anae Coast benefits package will help the homeless and needy in ways that offer "immediate impact."

For a community struggling with a homelessness crisis, the money will provide a variety of services through a transitional shelter, case manager for homeless youth and food, goods and other assistance.

But the money — part of a $2 million community benefits package announced yesterday by Mayor Mufi Hannemann — will address many other needs as well. Parks improvements total more than $1.2 million, and the $1 million in social service grants will help 19 nonprofit organizations in all.

Other than aiding the needy, the grants help with projects including a shade covering for the playground at Kapolei Elementary School.

A residential treatment center that takes care of people with a range of disabilities will get a much-needed renovation, thanks to the money, according to Robert Zuckerman, general secretary of Alternative Structures International, which goes by the name of Kahumana in Honolulu.

Zuckerman said the organization has worked in the community for 25 years and sees the grant money from both the perspective of a community in need and an agency that's mighty grateful.

When looking at all the needs of the coast, Zuckerman said, the money can seem "like a drop in the bucket," but that shelter, "it's a huge asset." And the money will mean a new roof, new flooring and improved accessibility as part of an overall renovation.

In announcing details of the benefits package he promised nearly a year ago, Hannemann credited community members for being patient and understanding in the face of major challenges, "whether it's continuing to house the landfill in this area or the growing homeless community that has inundated your beaches and your park areas."

Hannemann said he wanted to avoid some pitfalls that the previous administration had with handing out similar amounts for distribution by "vision teams" where expectations were raised too high in some cases and the city didn't follow up in other projects.

Aimoku McClellan, chairman of the Community Benefits Advisory Committee, pointed out the areas targeted for the additional park money included finishing work begun under the vision teams: the canoe halau, a play apparatus and parking.

While parking for a park probably ranks pretty low on most planners' lists of glamour projects, McClellan said, it's an important community need.

He said the group tried to select a broad range of projects that provided "immediate impact" across the community: young and old; responding to range of needs that included $15,000 to repair a koa canoe for a local canoe club; and $35,000 in support of Ka'ala Farm's hands-on agricultural education program in the elementary schools.

WHERE THE MONEY GOES

SOCIAL SERVICES GRANTS

Community grants announced yesterday go to 19 nonprofit organizations of 31 agencies that applied, officials said. In July, the Community Benefits Advisory Committee began gathering and evaluating requests for money from nonprofit organizations serving the Kapolei-to-Makaha area and to identify urgent needs. Members and their neighborhoods include Ku'ulei Jolonino, Honokai Hale; Georgette "Jo" Jordan, Wai'anae; John Kaopua, Nanakuli; Aimoku McClellan, Ma'ili; Mark Suiso, Makaha; Patty Teruya, Nanakuli; Neddie Waiamau-Nunuha, Nanakuli; and Roy Wickramaratna, Makakilo. Former Councilman John DeSoto, a Makaha resident, is an ex-officio member.

The organizations receiving grants are: