The University of Hawai'i-Manoa is expanding its fellowship program supporting excellence in Native Hawaiian research, a news release said.

The university has selected doctorate student Brenton Kamanamaikalani Beamer, as its inaugural recipient of the 'Oiwi Ake Akamai fellowship, which is also being supported by Kamehameha Schools and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Beamer, son of musician Kapono Beamer and grandson of Hawaiian historian Nona Beamer, is completing a Ph.D. in geography and conducting research on Hawaiian ali'i and mapping during the Hawaiian Kingdom era.

Stephanie Dunbar, Sydney Iaukea, Malia Kaaihue, Stephen Vogeler, David Sai and Peter Moore have been selected to begin fellowships this spring.

Their areas of research range from native plant restoration to Hawaiian language education.

MATH WORKSHOP AT SACRED HEARTS

Sacred Hearts Academy will be holding a Math Power for Girls and Parents workshop on Feb. 9 to allow parents to learn ways for their children to become successful in math.

The workshop will be from 8 to 10 a.m. at Sacred Hearts Academy and is open to children pre-kindergarten to grade four.

Parents will be able to participate in learning activities with their daughters as well as attend a special panel presentation by math experts and educators.

Call Renee Ortogero at 734-5058, ext. 262, or e-mail rortogero@sacredhearts.org for more information.

STUDENTS ATTACK INVASIVE SPECIES

Middle school students from Ho'ala School spent two days helping the U.S. Army with invasive species removal in the Kahanahaiki forest preserve.

During the volunteer service project, seventh- and eighth-graders helped remove invasive black wattle trees.

Students were instructed in using removal and recording methods used by Army field scientists.

School officials said the project provided students with an opportunity to practice real-world field methods while also contributing to efforts to protect native and endangered species found at Kahanahaiki.

For more information on Ho'ala School's Service Learning program, contact Darlene Dela Cruz at 621-1898 or e-mail darlene@hoala.org.

SCHOLARSHIPS EVENT SCHEDULED

Students and parents interested in learning how to earn college scholarships can attend a free event from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Windward Community College.

The meeting will be at the Hale 'Akoakoa building.

"College is possible with a little help," WCC's financial aid adviser, Steven Chigawa, said. "The added benefit is that scholarships are free monies that do not need to be repaid."

Students and parents will be able to network with several experts in the financial and scholastic field.

Call WCC Outreach Specialist Gus Cob-Adams at 235-7385 or at gusca@hawaii.edu for more information.

Chigawa will introduce three new scholarships designed for WCC students.