The state has released nearly $5.4 million for construction of a 10-classroom building at Mililani High School. The new building will feature two science classrooms, one special education classroom and seven general education classrooms.

The capacity of the school is 2,053 students, but more than 2,400 are registered and enrollment is expected to increase further.

The project is estimated to cost a total of $6 million and should be completed by the end of 2007.

CLASS OF 2006 HPU'S BIGGEST

Hawai'i Pacific University will hold its spring commencement ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Waikiki Shell. More than 750 students, the largest graduating class in HPU's history, will receive associate, baccalaureate and master's degrees.

David A. Heenan, Ph.D., trustee of the Estate of James Campbell, will deliver the commencement address. He also will receive the Fellow of the Pacific Award, the university's highest honor in recognition of outstanding contribution to the community and higher education.

GOLD FOR SINGERS FROM KAPALAMA

The Kapalama Elementary School Chorus was awarded a gold medal at the recent Heritage National Music Festival featuring dozens of choral groups from around the country.

Each choral group received a rating of gold, silver, bronze or no medal based on their performance of three selections. Kapalama, comprising 39 students in grades 2 to 6, performed "E Aloha E," "Jubilate" and "Al Shlosha."

The group also won the overall "Spirit of Aloha Award" which goes to a single group that represented its state the best.

The Heritage National Music Festival took place at the Hawai'i Convention Center April 7 to 9.

IOLANI, MARYKNOLL MATH CHAMPIONS

Iolani School and Maryknoll School won the 28th annual Hawai'i Math Bowl held Saturday at Brigham Young University-Hawai'i.

Iolani won the large school division with a total of 84 points. Maryknoll won in the small school division with 59 points.

The math bowl promotes goodwill and understanding among students and stimulates interest and enthusiasm for the learning of mathematics. Winners of the math bowl will be recognized by the lieutenant governor and the mayor in an awards ceremony this month.

ASIAN ITINERARY AWAITS FELLOWS

Applications are being accepted for the Fall 2006 Jefferson Fellowships for Journalists running from Oct. 15 until Nov. 12, themed "Population and Social Dynamics in the Asia Pacific."

Deadline for application is June 21. The fellowship is sponsored by the East-West Center of Honolulu.

Working print and broadcast journalists in the United States, Asia and Pacific islands with a minimum of five years of experience are eligible to apply for the upcoming fellowships.

This fall's fellows travel to Honolulu; Tokyo and Hiroshima, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand; and New Delhi and Mumbai, India.

For applications and more information about the program, visit www.eastwestcenter.org/jefferson.

E-mail questions to seminars@eastwestcenter.org or call 944-7384.