Because of increased enrollments, Waimea Elementary School on the Big Island and 'Ewa Elementary School on O'ahu will receive temporary classrooms funded by the state.

Gov. Linda Lingle released $600,000 to build two temporary classrooms at Waimea and one classroom in 'Ewa, according to a news release issued this week. "These new classrooms will relieve overcrowding at Waimea and 'Ewa elementary schools and are one component of our efforts to ensure all Hawai'i students receive a quality education," Lingle said in the release.

The funding is part of an appropriation, in which Waimea and 'Ewa elementary schools will be sharing the funds. Construction is scheduled to be completed in November.

UH'S DAVID IHA TO RECEIVE AWARD

David Y. Iha, a University of Hawai'i employee for more than 40 years, is the 2007 recipient of the Willard Wilson Award for Distinguished Service UH. The award is named after the long-time UH employee and secretary to the Board of Regents who set a standard for exemplary service to the university.

Iha, currently fulfilling an approved position in the Incentive Retirement Program at 40 percent with the UH Office of the Board of Regents, retired last year from his post as secretary to the UH Board of Regents after serving for nearly nine years. He also served as provost of Kaua'i Community College for 16 years, director of administrative services at Kaua'i Community College for 12 years, and held many budget positions throughout the UH system.

Iha will be recognized for his contributions at a systemwide awards ceremony in September.

THREE HPU STUDENTS WIN SCHOLARSHIPS

Three Hawai'i Pacific University students have been awarded scholarships to fund their studies in Japan.

Andrew Abordonado, an international studies junior from Honolulu and Roosevelt High School graduate, has been awarded a $7,000 scholarship from the Freeman Foundation to fund his studies at Hakodate University during the 2007-08 school year.

Amy Saccone, an international relations junior from Wilkes-Barre, Pa., received a $5,000 Freeman grant to fund her studies at Momoyama Gakuin University during the 2007 spring semester.

Kennethlee Jimenez, an international studies junior from Lagrange, N.Y. received a $5,000 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship funded by the U.S. Department of State. He will study at Surugadai University during the 2007-08 school year.

ATHLETIC FACILITIES WILL BE UPGRADED

Gov. Linda Lingle this week released nearly $6.25 million to upgrade athletic facilities at Kapolei and Pearl City high schools.

Kapolei High will use nearly $4.8 million to construct and equip additional locker and shower facilities, two physical educational classrooms, the announcer's booth, bleachers, concession stands and restrooms. In February 2006, Lingle released $503,000 for design, which was completed in July 2007. Construction is scheduled to begin in January.

Pearl City High will use $1.45 million to construct an athletic training room. It will include an office for the athletic trainer and treatment area for student athletes. The training room will be located next to the weight room to allow monitoring of weight-training activities. Construction is scheduled to be completed in July 2009.