Lawmakers will hold two meetings over the next week to discuss applications from nonprofit organizations seeking more than $150 million in grants from the Legislature.

The first briefing will begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow in the Capitol auditorium. The second, which will include Neighbor Island grant applicants, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday in the auditorium.

The briefings are being held by the Legislature's two money committees to bring more openness to the process of determining which nonprofits will get the coveted grants. An Advertiser series in December highlighted problems with that process, including a lack of transparency.

Representatives from each nonprofit applicant will be given an opportunity to address and answer questions from the joint panel. Members of the public will not be permitted to testify, but they can provide comments via e-mail at the Legislature's www.capitol.hawaii.gov Web site.