The Hawai'i Medical Service Association Foundation has been selected as one of 10 foundations in the country to participate in Partners Investing in Nursing's Future, a new national initiative to develop and test solutions to America's nursing shortage. Led by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Northwest Health Foundation, the program encourages local foundations to act as catalysts in developing grassroots strategies to establish a stable, adequate nursing workforce. The program is a five-year, $10 million initiative.

HMSA has been awarded a two-year grant of $250,000. It will work with the Hawai'i State Center for Nursing and a dozen other local partners to help address the nursing shortage in the Islands.

BIG ISLE HOSPITAL GETS $1M GRANT

A new approach to increasing patient safety through rapid medical intervention at the patient's bedside is under way at North Hawai'i Community Hospital, thanks to a $1 million grant from the Oak Foundation.

The new Critical Assessment and Rapid Evaluation program will consist of an experienced team of in-house medical professionals trained in specific, rapid intervention procedures.

$22K GIVEN FOR ASSETS TRAINING

ASSETS School has recently received three grants to assist its efforts to provide teacher training and professional outreach to Hawai'i's educational community. They are: $10,000 from the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation to develop a partnership with a Department of Education elementary school to identify and provide intervention for students at risk for reading failure; $7,500 from Friends of Hawai'i Charities to support the overall goals of ASSETS Teacher Training and Outreach Program; and $5,400 from Atlas Insurance Agency and Atlas Insurance Agency Foundation for a new initiative to develop, test and implement a literacy screening program for children in kindergarten through the third grade.

KNIFE SALES WILL HELP FIGHT CANCER

Kyocera Advanced Ceramics and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation have partnered to give those who love to cook an opportunity to support the fight against breast cancer. Kyocera Advanced Ceramics is offering a Special Edition 5 1/2-inch santoku knife with an ergonomic pink handle (Model No. FK-140-SE, suggested retail price $69.95). For each knife sold, Kyo-cera will donate $5 to the Komen Foundation with a guaranteed minimum donation of $10,000. So far, Kyocera Advanced Ceramics has donated more than $75,000. The knife is available at Williams-Sonoma stores nationwide. Call (800) 5537-0294.

$1M FROM STATE TO ASSIST GARDEN

The Bishop Museum plans to develop a new visitor education center at its Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook with the help of a $1 million state appropriation. The center will be developed on property donated to the museum by the family of the late Amy Greenwell.

SHELTER BENEFITS FROM AIRLINE FOLKS

Aloha Airlines employees filled 50 boxes with donated toys and clothing and collected $2,000 that was used to buy diapers and other supplies for children who live at the Next Step shelter for the homeless in Kaka'ako.

More than 70 Aloha Airlines employees were on hand recently when the airline sponsored a party at the shelter that featured ice cream, cake and goodie bags. The event was organized by flight attendant supervisor Cindy Allen and manager of inflight training Greg Chilson.

WATERSHED GROUP AWARDED $17,357

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded $17,357 to Hanalei Watershed Hui of Kaua'i to support environmental education projects. The program will focus on sediment pollution and erosion control in the Hanalei watershed.

MAUI NURSING HOME GETS $500K

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded $500,000 to Hale Makua on Maui. The funding was made possible under the Rural Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Provider grant program.

Hale Makua is a nonprofit corporation that provides a nursing home for elders who have no one to care for them or the means to pay for needed services.

WAIPAHU GROUPS RECEIVE GRANTS

Waipahu Community Foundation has awarded its second-quarter grants: $1,912 to Waipahu High; $1,863 to Honowai Elementary; $4,140 to Waipahu Intermediate; and $1,178 to Waipahu Baseball League.

Applications for next quarter are due Dec. 1. Call 677-9455.

WAIPIO CENTER DONATES $3,500

The Waipio Center has donated more than $3,500 to area elementary schools, swim clubs, Boy Scouts and other organizations. The funds are proceeds from the $20 booth fee charged at the community swap meet.