The U.S. Administration on Aging and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has awarded a three-year $800,000 grant to the Hawai'i state Department of Health's Executive Office on Aging.

The money supports the start of a program that will ultimately serve as the single entry point for information on public and private long-term-care services, including the Medicaid program.

$12,000 RAISED FOR BOAT DAYS

NCL America raised $12,000 recently aboard the Pride of Aloha to benefit Aloha Boat Days. More than 150 people attended and were treated to a ship tour, silent auction and lunch in the Crossings Restaurant.

Aloha Boat Days is a tradition dating from the early 1900s of greeting arriving and departing passenger ships with Hawaiian music and hula.

MCINERNY FUNDS MATCH DONATIONS

The McInerny Foundation has partnered with the University of Hawai'i Foundation in a matching-grant program to encourage giving to UH by its alumni.

The McInerny Foundation matched $50,000 given by alumni. The four-month campaign raised $426,118.

HELPING HANDS GETS CASTLE GRANT

The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation has awarded a $210,000 grant to Helping Hands Hawai'i in support of the Windward Mental Health Project. The project will partner with existing agencies providing services such as Castle Hospital, Hina Mauka and Waimanalo Health Center.

OHA ASSISTS VETERANS AGENCY

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has awarded a $50,000 grant to U.S. VETS - HAWAII. The money will enable the agency to offer transitional housing and full services to 75 more homeless veterans of Hawaiian ancestry.