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Kokua Line
Question: The Hawaii Tourism Authority gets tax dollars, right? If so, why are they giving grants to AIDS organizations? What is going on? Health grants promote
isle tourismAnswer: The grants, including funding for the Paradise Ride to stop AIDS, were given as part of the authority's "effort to enhance Hawaii's Product Development offerings" and spur initiatives in tourism, said Tourism Authority spokeswoman Sharon Freitas.
The Tourism Authority "is charged with coordinating the development of new products with the public and private sectors, including the development of sports, culture, health and wellness, education, business and eco-tourism," she said.
In February, the Tourism Authority solicited proposals in eight niche market areas: agritourism, business development and attraction, cultural tourism, eco-tourism, edu-tourism, health and wellness tourism, sports tourism and techno-tourism.
One of the projects selected for funding ($20,000) was called "Rainbow Hawaii," which included the third annual Paradise Ride, a statewide bicycle tour in July, and three medical health seminars planned for October 2000 and January and April 2001.
Freitas said "Rainbow Hawaii" helps the Tourism Authority achieve its health and wellness tourism objectives by promoting Hawaii's health service providers, supporting programs and activities that build upon Hawaii's health facilities and expertise, and promoting Hawaii as a desirable health and wellness destination.
Two other programs received health and wellness funding for the 2000-2001 fiscal year: $60,000 to Castle Medical Center's Hawaii Health and Wellness Vacation Program, which includes a 10-day program based on Dr. Terry Shintani's Hawaii Diet and a five-day "wellness vacation program incorporating healthy lifestyle principles, less medical and more vacation oriented;" and $20,000 to the Hawaii Women's Business Center to help establish Hawaii as a "wellness destination."
Of 180 "product development" proposals received by the HTA, 72 have been selected for funding so far. Find out how to apply for funding or see what programs have received grants by checking www.hawaii.gov/tourism.
The Tourism Authority is not currently soliciting proposals.
Q: Do you have the address of the Gates minority program foundation scholarship? I think many people would like to know how to apply for that.
A: The Gates Millennium Scholars Program, funded by a $1 billion grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, provides financial aid to 1,000 students each year, beginning this fall. The goal is to help high-achieving, low-income African American, American Indian, Alaskan native, Hispanic American and Asian Pacific American students pursue college or graduate studies in engineering, math, science, education or library science.
The program is administered by the United Negro College Fund.
For information, write to the United Negro College Fund, 8260 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, P.O. Box 104444, Fairfax, VA. 22031-4511; call 1-877-690-4677; or email info@gmsp.org
Mahalo
To someone out there for finding my fanny pack in the bathroom at Ala Moana Center on Aug. 12. For a while, I thought I had lost all my money and all the pictures given to me by friends and family. Thank you for being honest enough to turn it in to security. -- Brandi
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com