HUD AWARDS HAWAII UNIVERSITIES NEARLY $5 MILLION IN GRANTS
Funding will provide educational opportunities for Hawaiians

HONOLULU - Six universities in Hawaii will receive $4,794,929 in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that will allow these institutions to develop or expand education and training programs for low- to moderate-income Hawaiians. HUD Assistant Secretary Michael Liu is in the state to present the grants over the next two days.

"Universities play important roles in their communities," said Liu. "These grants provide the necessary resources that will allow these schools to create and enhance the academic and job training programs they will offer a new generation of Hawaiians."

The grants are from HUD's Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Institutions Assisting Communities Program (AN/NHIAC), which, through grants, encourage the efforts of institutions of higher education make a difference in their communities.

Today Liu joined university officials from the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College (HCC) to present checks to support their community higher education efforts that include building facilities that will support innovative education and job-training programs.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo will use its $800,000 grant to design, establish and run small businesses. The projects will focus on the cultural needs of the community; training interest of villagers in entrepreneurship, and establishing and supporting existing small businesses.

HCC will use its $794,976 grant to partner its resources with community programs in the predominantly Native Hawaiian district of Keaau. These funds will be used to renovate the Keaau Youth Business Center to include a commercial kitchen, multimedia digital arts lab, and a recording studio, and equipment for the youth business training activities. It will also be used to create career and job-training programs at-risk youth.

Earlier today, Liu toured Ka Hale Kahaluu and Kaimalino public housing developments on Kona to get a first-hand look at the conditions of the properties and consider steps on how conditions will be improved in the future.

Tomorrow Liu will travel to Honolulu where he will present the following AN/NHIAC grants to university officials:

• The University of Hawaii-Honolulu Community College (HCC) will get $800,000, which will be used to assist in the creation of the Kokea Training Center (KTC). These grant funds will be used to expand HCC's physical training capacity by demolishing three multi-story building and replacing them office space, classrooms and restrooms. The Center will provide pre-construction, job readiness, and life skills training. The project's target population will be low-income families primarily living in the Kalihi-Palama area.
  
  
• The University of Hawaii - Kapiòlani Community College will use its $800,000 grant to construct a 3,108 square-feet training facility that will be used to provide healthcare job training and clinical services for traditional Hawaiian healing and integrated practices. The project's target population will be low-income Native Hawaiians residing in the economically distressed rural community of Waiànae.
  
  
• The University of Hawaii - Leeward Community College will use its $800,000 grant in partnership with Leiehua High School and other Wahiawa business and community leaders to expand an existing agriculture and culinary arts education and training program. The college will build a commercial and health-certified kitchen and food processing area; create a formal dining room; and expand a commercial kitchen infrastructure to better accommodate a culinary arts program. The project will be located in rural Wahiawa and Central O áhu.
  
  
• The University of Hawaii - Kauai Community will use its $799,953 grant in partnership with the Anahola Hawaiian Home Association, the Anahola Farmer's Association and other public and private partners to develop a community agriculture training and agribusiness incubation center in the Anahola Hawaiian Homestead on Kauau'i. The goal is to create a hands-on experience where residents, especially young people, can get agricultural training.

While in Honolulu, Liu also presented a $50,000 Weed and Seed grant to the YMCA of Honolulu that will be used to reduce crime in Weed and Seed areas in the Ala Moana/Kapiolani, Chinatown, Kalihi and Palama districts. Liu made the announcement with Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Butrick. Honolulu is one of 36 cities that will receive Operation Weed and Seed grants. An initiative developed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Weed and Seed aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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