OHA GRANT HELPS MARITIME SCHOOL

The board and management of the Wai'anae Maritime Academy announced a grant award of $15,500 from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Community Based Economic Development grant program.

Kaipo Pomaikai, president of the academy's board of directors, called the grant an important step in helping the academy to serve Hawaiians and all of Hawai'i. The OHA grant will help ensure that Hawaiians have access to the academy's basic learning platform, which will establish and maintain a perpetual base of merchant marines.

CHURCH GIVEN $1M FOR REPAIRS

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has granted Kawaiaha'o Church $1 million toward the renovation and preservation of its historic buildings and school. The grant, to be distributed over a three-year period, will fund the construction of a new multipurpose building, essential improvements to its aging buildings, and modifications to the campus that will provide a safer environment.

"The receipt of this grant makes a powerful statement to the community that the trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs consider Kawaiaha'o Church a place of refuge, learning and service," said Kahu Curt Kekuna, senior pastor.

ARTS ALLIANCE GAINS $20,000

The Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts has awarded a $20,000 grant to the Hawaii Arts Alliance in support of its educational and cultural programs at The ARTS at Marks Garage.

The grant supports the development of visual and performing arts programs in fiscal year 2006-07. This will include night and weekend events, art exhibitions, and art classes for neighborhood residents and children.

$7,500 GIFT FOR HAWAII LITERACY

First Hawaiian Bank Foundation has awarded a $7,500 grant to Hawaii Literacy. The funds will support Hawaii Literacy's Classroom on Wheels (Bookmobile) project, a traveling library and classroom that operates on the Wai'anae Coast, providing local residents of all ages with free access to books, educational materials and literacy services.

The Bookmobile visits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wai'anae and Nanakuli; and the Maililand, Kau'iokalani and Ohana Ola O Kahumana housing projects. The children can read and check out books; there are also books for youths and adults. Each day there are literacy-related activities. The Bookmobile is equipped with laptop computers for the children and their caregivers to use.