Mayor Mufi Hannemann yesterday announced the O'ahu recipients of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority's County Product Enrichment Program grants for 2008, which provide funding to support events and projects that stimulate and diversify tourism.

"The events we've selected to receive money fulfill the Hawai'i Tourism Authority's goal of diversifying our visitor industry, but they also give residents and visitors alike opportunities to enjoy traditional events and new experiences," Hannemann said. "We're very grateful to the HTA for continuing this program."

More than 70 applications totalling $2.98 million were submitted to a selection committee for the $425,000 available, he said. The city also awarded fove grants of $10,000 each through the Mayor's Office of Economic Development for several events.

The HTA grant recipients are:

AYSO Leeward Region 269, $10,000 for the Kapolei Summer Sunset Festival (June 28-29);

Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i, $10,000 for the 59th Narcissus Festival (Feb. 1);

Mayor's Office on Culture and the Arts, $30,000 for Christmas 2008 at Honolulu Hale (December), the Honolulu Family Festival at Magic Island (August), and other cultural events;

Department of Parks and Recreation, $30,000 for Lei Day (May 1-2);

Office of Economic Development, $5,000 for an O'ahu festival and events brochure and Web site;

DB Productions Inc., $10,000 for the Hawai'i Dragon Boat Festival (Aug. 23-24);

Filipino Community Center Inc., $15,000 for the 16th Annual Filipino Fiesta and Parade (May 17);

Friends of Waipahu Cultural Garden Park/Hawai'i's Plantation Village, $30,000 to market the plantation experience and history tours;

Hale'iwa Arts Festival, $10,000 for the Hale'iwa Arts Festival's 11th annual summer event (July 19-20);

Hale'iwa Arts Festival, $5,000 for the Hale'iwa Arts Festival on Tour;

Hale'iwa Main Street/North Shore Chamber of Commerce, $10,000 for the North Shore Festival (November 8-9);

Hawai'i Alliance for Arts Education/Hawai'i Arts Alliance, $10,000 for First Friday Honolulu and other events;

Hawai'i Book and Music Festival, $15,000 (May 17-18 );

Ohia Productions, $10,000 for "In the Clear Blue Sea" (July 28-Aug. 2);

Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation, $10,000 for the Hawai'i State Farm Fair (July 19-20);

Hawai'i Korean Chamber of Commerce; $15,000 for the seventh annual Korean Festival (July 12);

Hawai'i Theatre Center, $10,000 for "Hawai'i Calls" (May 23-25);

Hawai'i United Okinawa Association, $15,000 for the 26th Okinawan Festival (Aug. 31-Sept. 1);

Hanayagi Dancing Academy Hawai'i Foundation, $5,000 for the Hanayagi Dancing Academy Extravaganza (Aug. 23);

Hawaiian Scottish Association, $5,000 for the 28th Annual Hawaii Scottish & Highland Games and First Annual Scottish Highland Dancing Competition (April 5-6);

Honolulu Academy of Arts, $10,000 for the Dragon's Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan.

Honolulu Culture & Arts District Association, $20,000 for special events;

Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, $20,000 for the Multicultural Matsuri;

Kalihi Business Association, $10,000 for the third annual Sunset in Kalihi (May 3-4);

Kane'ohe Business Group and Windward Community College, $10,000 for the Windward Hoolaulea (Sept. 27);

Life Foundation, $5,000 for the Honolulu AIDS Walk (April 20);

Pai Foundation, $30,000 for the Maoli Arts Program, MAMo Maoli Arts Month 2008, and 6th Annual Hapa Haole Hula & Music Festival;

SJ Foundation, $10,000 for the 6th Annual Waikiki Spam Jam (May 3);

Temari Center for Asian & Pacific Arts, $10,000 for "A Piece of Cloth";

Wahiawa Community and Business Association, $1,000 for a history tour of Wahiawa;

Making Dreams Come True, Valley of Rainbows, $10,000 for Wai'anae Coast Sunset on the Beach 2008 (Aug. 9-10);

Waikiki Community Center, $5,000 for the Ala Wai Challenge (Jan. 27);

Waimanalo Construction Coalition Inc., $10,000 for the Waimanalo Country Fair (Oct. 17-19); and

World Invitational Hula Festival, $10,000 for E Hoi Mai I Ka Piko Hula (Nov. 2-9).

The $10,000 mayor's office grants went to:

DB Productions Inc., for Aloha Tower Sunset (April 12);

Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i Foundation, for A Taste of Kalihi (Sept. 6);

Kaimuki Business and Professional Association Foundation, for Celebrate Kaimuki 2008 (Nov. 1);

Pacific Gateway Center, for Ola Mau Asia-Pacific Festivals 2008 (April 26 and Sept. 27); and

Pacific Islands Fisheries Group, for Hawai'i Fishing and Seafood Festival (Oct. 13).