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Posted: Friday, January 22nd, 2010 4:42 AM HST

Office of Hawaiian Affairs awards $1.2M grant

By Associated Press

HILO, Hawaii (AP) — The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has awarded the University of Hawaii at Hilo a $1.2 million grant to help students transition to college. The funds will go to the Na Pua No'eau program at the university's Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children. Na Pua No'eau Director David Sing says the 20-year-old program gives Hawaiian students from throughout the state opportunities to achieve and raise their aspirations. He says it also strengthens the students' knowledge and practice of Hawaiian culture. Sing says the money will help compensate for a decline in federal funding. The center has had annual budgets of $3 million, but this year the center will have to rely solely on OHA's $1.2 million grant to operate. (Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved)