National Principal of the Year Award from Metlife and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Awakuni, in her fourth year at Campbell, has led the 'Ewa Beach high school through a number of reforms, adopting a more rigorous curriculum and integrating the school.

A big change has been the new block schedule, in which teachers teach three periods per day and have one off for staff development. The schedule also allows students an advisory period to meet regularly with staff.

Rowena Martinez, facilitator of the Parent-Community Network Center, said Awakuni has the fire and determination to do what is best for her students.

"She's just what this community needed — somebody that believed the kids and community out here could do just as well as a private school," she said.

The winner will be named this month.

It is the second year in a row that Hawai'i has had a finalist for the award. Last year, Leilehua High School Principal Norman Minehira was a finalist.

Sewer work to close Hilo street

HILO, Hawai'i — Kalaniana'ole Avenue between the Bay Clinic and Kea'a Street in Hilo will be closed to Keaukaha-bound traffic through Sept. 17 to allow for work on a county sewer line.

Keaukaha-bound motorists will be detoured along Kamehameha and Silva streets during construction.

Hamakua-bound traffic will remain open, and local traffic to the Bay Clinic will be allowed both ways.

Homestead meeting planned

KEOKEA, Maui — Officials with the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will update the community on the Keokea Hawaiian homestead subdivisions planned for more than 450 homes and farms.

The public meeting will be held 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Keokea Farm Lot No. 68.

To reach the site, make a right turn immediately after Grandma's Coffee House, cross the cattle guard and follow the road, watching for signs. Attendees should bring their own chairs.

The presentation will be made by Land Development Division staff Joe Blevins, Larry Sumida and Stewart Matsunaga. Bernard Kea of the Honolulu-based consulting firm Community Planning Inc. will join the panel.

A potluck lunch will precede the meeting at noon. For information, call (808) 878-3642 or e-mail enomotoe002@hawaii .rr.com.

Maui soliciting budget ideas

WAILUKU, Maui — Maui County residents can tell officials how they believe their tax dollars should be spent at a series of meetings on the county budget.

Mayor Alan Arakawa's staff will attend, to help prepare the 2005-2006 budget. All meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m.:

Monday, Kihei Community Center; Tuesday, Kula Community Center; Wednesday, Ha'iku Community Center; Sept. 16, Mitchell Pau'ole Center, Kaunakakai; Oct. 4, Helene Hall, Hana; Oct. 5, Lahaina Civic Center; and Oct. 7, Lana'i High & Elementary School cafeteria.

Anyone needing special accommodation to attend should call May-Anne Asuncion at (808) 270-7855 at least six days before the meeting.

Parenting class series to begin

Six sessions of common-sense parenting classes will be held at the Kamiloiki Elementary School library from 8 to 10 a.m. starting Oct. 13.

The sessions, sponsored by the Hawai'i National Guard and the school's Primary School Adjustment Project, will give parents suggestions on how to build a close relationship with their children and reduce problem behavior through learning.

Classes will continue Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10 and 17. A one-time donation of $5 will be collected to pay for books and refreshments.

Lake Wilson party Sunday

Boat rides, a fishing clinic for children and fish hatchery tour are among the free activities planned Sunday for "A Day at Lake Wilson" at the Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The celebration is open to the public. Parking is available at Wahiawa Middle School, accessed by turning onto Rose Street from California Avenue. Bus shuttles will run from the school to the park every 15 minutes. Handicapped parking is available.

Large-mouth bass raised at the Wahiawa Middle School hatchery will be released into the lake at noon.

Pro-choice group gathers Sunday

Planned Parenthood of Hawaii's annual brunch will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Hawaii Prince Hotel.

The event will feature Alexander Sanger, internationally renowned pro-choice advocate and grandson of Margaret Sanger, who founded the birth control movement in America more than 80 years ago.

Planned Parenthood will present the annual Betty Takahashi Award to the Patsy T. Mink Political Action Committee. The award recognizes notable contributions in reproductive healthcare, education or advocacy of reproductive freedom.

Alexander Sanger serves as goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund and is chair of the International Planned Parenthood Council. He is author of the recently published book "Beyond Choice: Reproductive Freedom in the 21st Century."

The $75 donation includes a buffet brunch. For tickets or information, call Anne at 589-1156, ext. 225.

District 23 debate tonight

'Olelo Community Television's live political debate at 6:30 tonight on 'Olelo Channel 54 features the two candidates competing in the Democratic primary to represent Senate District 23: incumbent Melodie Aduja and challenger Clayton Hee.