Hawaii’s health insurance exchange has awarded $6.7 million in grants to 34 community organizations assigned to educating the public about options for coverage under the federal health insurance law known as Obama­care.

The Hawaii Health Connector, the online marketplace that will match qualified individuals with subsidized health plans, said the money will be used to hire 191 so-called marketplace assisters to help consumers and small businesses navigate the process on each island.

With open enrollment less than two months away, Connector officials are scrambling to get programs underway to educate the public. A mass marketing campaign is scheduled to start later this month. Open enrollment begins Oct. 1 for health policies effective Jan. 1.

"A statewide, community-based approach to informing and assisting residents with their health care is a goal this administration takes seriously," Gov. Neil Abercrombie said in a news release.

The Connector is the only place where consumers and businesses will be able to apply for tax subsidies to offset the cost of health insurance. It also will identify and help enroll people in Medicaid, the government health insurance program for low-income residents.

Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama’s landmark legislation, Americans must have insurance or face tax penalties.

The estimated 100,000 uninsured in Hawaii will be a hard population to reach as many of them are poor and less educated, and others are expected to be young adults indifferent to health coverage.

"With these partner organizations, we are taking outreach efforts deeper into each community and connecting individuals, families and small businesses with the health insurance and financial assistance options available to them," said Bonnie McAfee-Torco, manager for the Connector’s outreach program.

The marketplace assister grants were awarded through a competitive application process. The funds are earmarked for outreach, and assisters will help the public understand the benefits of the exchange and with enrollment, providing impartial information on health plan options. Additional grants will be awarded in the future.

"People understand that these organizations have close connections to their communities," said Coral Andrews, the Connector’s executive director. "For many of us, health care can be confusing and difficult to understand, and these partners will help to simplify the process and strengthen their communities."

In addition to the marketplace assisters, the Connector is spending $12 million to establish a call center and $53 million over four years on the information technology to develop and maintain its website and operations. The call center will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, during the open enrollment period.

For more information, go to HawaiiHealthConnec­tor.com.