The honor was sponsored by Windward Community College chancellor Angela Meixell, supported by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and approved by the regents at their last meeting.

Board chairwoman Patricia Lee said Keawe has been in the forefront of promoting Hawaiian music as a performer and still shares her music as a professional entertainer.

"Throughout the years she has given freely of her time and talents to perpetuate the rich sound and history of traditional Hawaiian music," said Lee. Her recordings began in the days of 78 rpms and today are on compact discs.

Interim President David McClain praised Keawe for the years of mentoring she has given to students as a teacher.

"The University of Hawai'i has been privileged to have her be a part of the UH family," McClain said.

Two at arboretum get new positions

Kawika Winter, who is responsible for Lyon Arboretum's Hawaiian Ethnobotany Collections and is a leader in the organization of Lyon's outreach programs to the Hawaiian community, has been named the new director of National Tropical Botanical Garden's 1,000-acre Limahuli Garden and Preserve in Ha'ena on Kaua'i's north shore. The garden is one of five botanical gardens run by the National Tropical Botanical Garden, which manages gardens in Hawai'i and Florida.

Also Pablo Lozano, who is still working on his doctoral thesis at the University of Hawai'i but employed at Lyon as part of its international research program team, has been appointed national forest director in his home country, Ecuador.

Makiki group meeting today

New community group Hui 'O Makiki will hold a meeting for interested Makiki residents at 9 a.m. today in the Makiki Library in the district park.

The group will discuss ways to deal with the social problems that come with living in a densely populated urban community including a lack of parking, too much noise and accumulated rubbish.

For more information, call Norma Koenig at 946-3291.

Blessing today for Kahala Nui

Kahala Nui, a senior living community, will have a blessing and open house from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today. Residents of the new facility that shares the Star of the Sea campus, will begin moving in Tuesday.

Kahala Nui, at 4389 Malia St., offers a continuum of care from assisted living, nursing and memory support. It employs 225 people and when fully operational, it will be home to 500 senior citizens.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann will make some remarks at the opening.