Gov. Neil Abercrombie released $17.9 million to Hawaii County for the design and construction of a shelter that will be certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and double as a gymnasium at Kau High and Elementary School.
An air filtration system to provide relief from toxic emissions from Kilauea Volcano will be specially designed for the facility.
"This project has dual benefits. It will improve the school gym facility and offer a safe refuge for the Kau community during a disaster," Abercrombie said Thursday in a news release. "I applaud the area lawmakers, the county, and the Department of Education for their cooperation and foresight. As the project moves forward, it will create jobs and have a positive effect on our economy."
Hawaii County will oversee design and construction of the project with input from the state Department of Education, the news release said.
"This district is vulnerable to an array of potential natural disasters ranging from lava flows and hurricanes to tsunamis, yet there are no FEMA-approved shelters to protect residents and visitors in Kau today," said Mayor Billy Kenoi. "We are very grateful to Gov. Abercrombie for releasing the funds to move this important project forward."
According to the news release, the facility will be on state-owned land near the front of the school, and operated and maintained by the county.
» The University of Hawaii Cancer Center recently received a number of grants from the National Cancer Institute designed to help scientists target specific cancers. The following information was contained in a press release on the distribution of funds:
Impact of obesity on breast, prostate and colorectal cancer risk
A four-year grant for $1.4 million to Iona Cheng of the Cancer Center’s Epidemiology Program to examine the impact of characteristics related to obesity, dietary and lifestyle behaviors, and genetic predisposition for their effects on breast, prostate and colorectal cancer risk among African-Americans and Latinos.
Malignant transformation leading to squamous cell carcinoma
Patricia Lorenzo received a five-year, $1.4 million grant to pursue identification of novel pathways involved in the malignant transformation in the skin, which leads to squamous cell carcinoma. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is a type of nonmelanoma skin cancer that arises from the skin cells that form the epidermis. Incidence rates have soared with nearly 250,000 new cases reported each year in the U.S.
How asbestos causes mesothelioma
Haining Yang, Ph.D., is the recipient of a five-year, $1.5 million grant to study the mechanism by which asbestos causes malignant mesothelioma. Research will aim to identify new molecular targets for intervention and help scientists develop novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of malignant mesothelioma.
» The Hauoli Mau Loa Foundation has awarded Aloha Harvest a $100,000 grant.
"Hauoli Mau Loa has been a generous contributor to Aloha Harvest in the past, and we’re very grateful for their continued support" said Kuulei Williams, executive director of Aloha Harvest. "The support of foundations like Hauoli Mau Loa and all of our community partners enable Aloha Harvest to continue its important work of helping those in need."
» Catholic Charities Hawaii has received a $90,000 award from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs that will be used to support Catholic Charities Hawaii’s Maili Land Transitional Housing Program.
According to a news release, the award will be distributed over two years.
"It is with great pleasure that we offer our support to such a worthwhile program," said Colette Machado, OHA’s chairwoman of the board of trustees. The program "provides hope and support for this underserved population, giving them the tools to believe in themselves and the strong desire to create their best future."
The program has the lowest program fee structure of all transitional programs on the Waianae Coast and provides a necessary alternative for homeless and very-low-income Hawaiian families, said the news release.
"Given the staggering statistics of homelessness in our community, we are especially thankful to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for their generous support of this critical program," said Jerry Rauckhorst, Catholic Charities Hawaii’s president and CEO. "Offering educational and life-skills support, Catholic Charities Hawaii’s Maili Land Transitional Housing Program ensures that individuals and families receive the life skills they need to support themselves."
