WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai'i) has announced that a $682,982 U.S. Department of Education grant has been presented to the Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Program at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo.

The money will be used for the planning and design of the proposed Center for Pacific Islander Education and Retention, according to a news release from Hirono's office. The University of Hawai'i at Hilo will renovate an existing campus facility to establish the center.

It will be used for peer monitoring, tutoring and learning communities; for multicultural training and workshops; and for a library of relevant education, leadership, and cultural materials and resources — all in an effort to increase Pacific Islander student success and retention, according to the news release.

The total cost of the two-year project is $1,994,557. The bulk of the cost is for the the actual conversion and renovation of the campus facility to create the center.