HELP FOR STUDENTS WHO RETURN TO UH

The Bernard Osher Foundation has awarded the University of Hawai'i-Manoa and -West O'ahu campuses $50,000 each in grants as part of a national program for students returning to complete a university degree after an absence of at least five years.

"The Osher Re-entry Scholarship Program is one of the most important initiatives of the Bernard Osher Foundation," said Mary Bitterman, foundation president. "Many of these returning students are working parents with families to support. They face special challenges in resuming their educations after a long hiatus as they juggle the pressures of working, studying and raising a family."

AID FOR ARTS CENTER AT SACRED HEARTS

The Mary D. & Walter F. Frear Eleemosynary Trust has awarded Sacred Hearts Academy with a $500,000 grant.

The funds are marked for the academy's new performing arts building, which will include band activities, as well as guitar, choral music, drama, dance, and Hawaiian chant and dance.

$1.2M TO BOOST NANAKULI HOUSING

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Inc. awarded Nanakuli Senior Apartments a $1.2 million grant. The money will complete the $8.5 million funding for the 40 senior low-income units.

The project is due to be completed by July and is expected to have a long waiting list. The project sponsor, Hawaii Intergenerational Community Development Association, is planning to build 30 additional senior rental low-income apartments on the same site in the near future.

JAPAN SUPPORTS ENERGY RESEARCH

The government of Japan has awarded more than $140,000 to Hawai'i's Pacific International Center for High Technology Research. The money will ensure the continued support of programs involving the development and transfer of renewable energy technologies and education and training programs in Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands.

$10K IN AWARDS TO BUSINESS PROGRAM

Junior Achievement of Hawaii was awarded $2,500 by Central Pacific Bank. JAH also received $7,500 from AIG Hawaii Insurance Company Inc.

The organization teaches students about business, economics and free enterprise.

WOMEN'S CENTER RECEIVES $25,000

The Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund has awarded a $25,000 one-year grant to Kapi'olani Women's Center. The funds will be used to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast and cervical cancer. It is the fifth year that the program has received Avon Foundation support for work on these issues.

A&B BACKING FOR BICYCLING LEAGUE

The Alexander & Baldwin Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to the John B. Kelley Endowment of the Hawaii Bicycling League. The purpose of the endowment is to ensure the league's long-term security.

To honor Kelley's memory, the league will hold this year's Haleiwa Metric Century event in his honor on April 29, and A&B Foundation will serve as the event's title sponsor.