• U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono was honored recently as a 2008 Pre-K Champion by national preschool advocacy organization Pre-K Now, established in 2005.

The U.S. House Education and Labor Committee approved Hirono's HR 3289, which would establish a federal grant program to support quality early childhood educational opportunities for more children. The grants would provide incentives to states to ensure that their pre-K programs meet children's developmental and educational needs.

• C. Alex Morrison, the Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District's former resident engineer on the recently completed $179 million Palau Road project, was recently presented with the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal by Pacific Ocean Division commander Brig. Gen. John W. Peabody.

The award was given in recognition of Morrison's service to the Corps of Engineers and the Engineer Regiment.

• Hawai'i Pacific University president Chatt Wright recently announced the appointment of Randy Caine as dean of the School of Nursing. The current interim dean, Patricia Lange-Otsuka, will be the associate dean.

Caine has more than 24 years of experience in nursing education at the university level. HPU said she has a record of excellence in teaching, mentoring, administration and scholarly activities.

• Charles S. Sasaki, associate vice president of student affairs at Hawai'i Pacific University, has been named a 2008 Fulbright Scholar. This is Sasaki's second Fullbright fellowship. In 1998, he received a Fulbright-Hays award for research and study in Japanese history and culture at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. Fulbright grants are awarded through competition and are considered prestigious in the field of international higher education.i