Jefferson Elementary School is looking for tutors for its "I Can Read" program to help students become independent readers.

Tutors meet with students after school twice a week for one-on-one 45-minute reading sessions.

Formal training is not required. Tutors should have a love of books and a desire to help students read. Jefferson Elementary School will provide all the necessary materials.

For more information, call Toni Todino at 971-6922.

NATIVE HAWAIIAN LAW GETS $1.2 MILLION

The William S. Richardson School of Law received a $1.2 million federal grant to continue the work of the Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law.

The center is now in its second year and is using a portion of the money for fellowships to support students and recent graduates in their research and scholarly writing on Native Hawaiian law.

Established in 2005 at the school of law, the center focuses on education, research, community outreach and the preservation of historical, legal and traditional materials.

HPU TO HONOR HOKULE'A FIGURE

Nearly 350 Hawai'i Pacific University students will graduate at the school's 64th commencement ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Waikiki Shell.

Hokule'a navigator and sail master Nainoa Thompson will deliver the commencement address. He also will receive HPU's Fellow of the Pacific Award, the university's highest honor.

Thompson is being recognized for his leadership, research and contribution to higher education and for his continuing service and dedication to the community, the university said.

750 TO GRADUATE FROM UH-MANOA

The University of Hawai'i-Manoa will hold commencement exercises for more than 750 students at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Stan Sheriff Center. Jade Moon, former anchor at KGMB-TV, will deliver the commencement address.

UH CENTER GETS $1.9M IN GRANTS

The Center on Disability Studies in the College of Education at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa recently received two grants totaling $1.9 million from the U.S. Department of Education.

The funding will benefit indigenous students with disabilities, including those who have been identified as learning disabled.

The Institute for Education awarded the center a three-year grant of $1.5 million to support research to improve the content and process of Individualized Education Plans for students with disabilities from indigenous cultures.

The Office of Special Education Programs also awarded the center a two-year Steppingstones of Technology Innovation for Children with Disabilities grant worth $400,000.