A Rutgers University history professor will present two free lectures this week in association with Hawai'i Pacific University.

"From Twain to Tikrit: American Views of Empire" is slated for 6:30 this evening at Tenney Theater, St. Andrew's Cathedral, 229 Queen Emma St. in Honolulu.

"The First World War in World History" will be presented at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow at HPU's Warmer Auditorium, Seventh Floor, 1060 Bishop St., Honolulu.

The free talks are co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Hawai'i Council for the Humanities

CENTER RECEIVES $630,000 GRANT

The Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law at University of Hawai'i-Manoa's William S. Richardson School of Law has received a two-year, $630,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to support the Na'au Pono Initiative. Na'au Pono means "a deep sense of justice" and reflects the center's mission to promote education, scholarship, community outreach and collaboration on issues of law, culture and justice for Native Hawaiians and other Pacific and indigenous people..

In addition, Gary Ostrander, UH-Manoa vice chancellor of research and graduate education, has committed to provide an additional $50,000 to support the center's staff and programs.

COMPANY OFFERS 12 SCHOLARSHIPS

Hawaii Self Storage is accepting applications for its college scholarship program, through which 12 O'ahu public high school students will receive $1,000 scholarships renewable annually for up to $4,000 toward their college education.

Scholarships are available to students in high schools near Self Storage's Salt Lake, Pearl City and Kaimuki locations, as well as to those public school students near the under-construction Mililani and Kapolei locations. The scholarship may be renewed two years toward an associate degree and up to four years for a bachelor's degree.

For more information about the program, call 949-7233, or visit: www.hawaiiselfstorage.net/scholarships.asp

$2.5M MORE FOR DISABLED PROJECT

Gov. Linda Lingle has released $2.5 million for ongoing improvements at 13 public schools in O'ahu's Central District to comply with accessibility guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. These corrective measures include adding walkways, ramps, parking stalls, elevators and other modifications to building interiors and exteriors.

The total project cost is $5.4 million, of which $2.9 million was released by Lingle in 2006 and earlier this year. Design for this phase of the project is scheduled to begin this month and be completed in June. Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2008 and be completed in August 2009.