Kalama Intermediate School on Maui will hold an informational briefing and canine demonstration for students, faculty and staff at 8 a.m. tomorrow on the use of specially trained dogs to detect drugs, alcohol and firearms on campus.

The Canine Drugs, Alcohol, and Firearms Detection Pilot Project aims to step up safety and security at public schools by deterring the bringing, possessing, selling or using of illicit drugs, alcohol and firearms on campus.

Kalama will be the state's first public school to participate in the program. The first unannounced canine sniff will occur soon.

"The project's purpose is to ensure that our campuses are safe, drug-free and healthy places that support student learning," Board of Education member Mary Cochran of Maui said in a press release. "Our ability to detect and confiscate illegal substances and weapons should effectively prevent such items from being brought to school. If we don't find anything, the project is working."

Lahainaluna High School, Lahaina Intermediate School and Lana'i High & Elementary School also are planning to participate in the pilot project.

During the remainder of the school year, Interquest Detection Canines of Hawai'i will conduct several unannounced canine sniffs on the participating campuses. On each inspection, two school representatives who are Department of Education employees will accompany the Interquest dog and its handler. If a canine detects drugs, alcohol or firearms, Interquest will inform the DOE representatives, who will follow established search-and-seizure procedures to take possession of any suspect materials.

MILILANI WA'ENA TEACHER HONORED

Natalie Rodrigues, a fifth-grade teacher at Mililani Wa'ena Elementary School, has been presented the first Teacher of Promise award by the National Milken Educators of Hawai'i. The award is given to a new teacher who demonstrates the highest qualities of a professional educator and includes a check for $1,000, a plaque and gift basket.

Members of the National Milken Educators of Hawai'i are all past recipients of the $25,000 National Milken Educator Awards. They formed the NME-Hawai'i in 1996 to promote teaching quality and have now established the Teacher of Promise award.

In addition to the state winners, the program awards gift packages to up to 14 more teachers each year, one from each complex area.

The complex area winners include: Maile Bajet, 'Aiea Elementary; Lanelle Oshiro, Manoa Elementary; Kirstie Akana, Waiau Elementary; Jade Bright, Ahuimanu Elementary; and Eddeille Boado Thomas, Kohala Elementary.

KNUDSEN NAMED NEW BOE CHAIR

Longtime Board of Education member Karen Knudsen is the new board chairwoman, with John Penebacker as first vice chairman and Herbert Watanabe as second vice chairman.

Knudsen has served on the board since 1990 as an O'ahu at-large member and was re-elected this year. She previously served as the board's chairwoman for two years in 1997 and 1998 and has been a member of the BOE leadership as a vice chairwoman for an additional eight years.

Penebacker, who was elected to the BOE this year from Windward O'ahu, previously served on the board from 1980-88. During his earlier tenure, he served as a vice chairman for four years.

Watanabe has served on the board from the Big Island since 1996. He was chairman of the board for three years in 2000, 2001 and 2002, and has served an additional five years as a vice chairman.