Hawaii will be honored during space shuttle Endeavour's upcoming STS-126 mission to the International Space Station that is targeted to launch next month from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA announced today.

NASA is honoring all 50 states during the remaining flights of the space shuttle, which will be retired in 2010.

During the STS-126 mission, Michigan and Indiana also will be honored.

NASA supports preparatory education through the NASA Explorer Schools program in Hawaii. The program establishes a three-year partnership between NASA and local schools to bring NASA's engaging mathematics, science, and technology learning to educators, students, and families. Pearl City Elementary School in Pearl City is participating in the program.In spring 2009, the full time crew living aboard the space station will double in size from three astronauts to six.

Endeavour will deliver supplies and equipment to prepare the station for the additional crew members. The mission also includes four spacewalks to service the two Solar Array Rotary Joints that allow the station's arrays to track the sun.