Grants

Advertiser Staff

Bishop Museum gets $130,000

Bishop Museum has received $130,000 in two separate grants from local foundations to continue offering the community a family educational program and to conduct marine-life research in the Islands.

The museum has received a $30,000 grant from the Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation to support its Family Sunday community program. The program combines educational exhibits, crafts and live entertainment into a fun-filled day on the Great Lawn.

The museum has also received a $100,000 grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Grantmaking Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation to conduct research on the impact of exotic marine life on Kaua'i, Moloka'i, Maui and Hawai'i harbors. Findings from this research will help biologists understand some of Hawai'i's most fragile ecosystems.

School bathroom upgrade paid for

Kindergarten and Children's Aid Association (KCAA) Pre-Schools of Hawaii received a $5,000 grant from the Hawaii Hotel Association to upgrade the children's bathroom at the Mother Rice preschool.

Christina Cox, president of KCAA, said the grant was used to install water-saving sinks and toilets.

"The new child-sized toilets and electric eye sinks are terrific. They reduce the spread of germs and are real water-savers," Cox said. "Our 4-year-old boys spent the first few days testing them out, using their hands as low-flying planes to set the faucets off in succession. Thankfully, the novelty has worn off."

KCAA Pre-Schools of Hawaii was established in 1895, offering the first teacher training and free kindergartens in Hawai'i. Today the organization serves nearly 850 children annually at its seven preschools.

Caregivers to receive training

The Center on Aging at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa has been awarded $68,000 to develop a curriculum and to train paraprofessionals in the field of aging on the Big Island.

Research indicates that most paraprofessionals are middle-aged minority wo-men, employed as home aides, home attendants, home health aides and personal care workers.

Paraprofessionals make up the backbone of home care, providing as much as 80 percent of personal care for frail elderly people and disabled people living at home.

For information on the training sessions on the Big Island, call (808) 956-5001.

Disadvantaged kids get a boost

The Salvation Army recently received two grants to help support two programs designed to enrich the lives of disadvantaged children.

• NFL Charities awarded The Salvation Army $5,000 to help establish the Community Skateboard program in Waimea, Hawai'i. The program seeks to provide the children of North Hawai'i a safe, drug-free and supervised environment.
• The George P. and Ida Tenney Castle Foundation gave a grant of $15,000 to The Salvation Army's Camp Homelani. The money will strengthen the camp's recreational, wilderness and craft programs designed to enrich the lives of disadvantaged children through the camping experience.
  
  
  

Public TV shows gain support

Hawai'i Public Television has received a number of grants:

• Renewed support by Hawai'i Pacific University for sponsorship of "Nightly Business Report" and General Support Announcement.
• Renewed support by Verizon Foundation and Verizon Hawai'i for sponsorship of "PBS Keiki Time," the weekend block of award-winning, early education children's programs. "PBS Keiki Time" includes programs such as "Arthur," "Clifford the Big Red Dog," "Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat," and "Sesame Street."
• A grant from the Mary D. and Walter F. Frear Eleemosynary Trust in support of the children's literacy program "Between the Lions."
  
  
  

Party raises cash for ballet

Ballet Hawaii, celebrating its 25th anniversary season, received $20,000 from the Night in Italy party May 26 at the new Sergio's in the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

George and Wini Vandeman, owners of the new Northern Italian restaurant, underwrote the event as a contribution to the ballet. Money raised from the event will help Ballet Hawaii continue its program of dance in the community, its annual presentation of Nutcracker at the Blaisdell Concert Hall with live music by the Hono-lulu Symphony, and the presentation of top dancers from leading ensembles.

Among others who donated to the success of the evening were Southern Wine & Spirits, which did the Italian wine tasting; musicians Pierre Grill and Tony Chardo; and opera singer Leslie Goldman.