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Gifts aid patients’ kin staying at Tripler

Residents of Tripler Army Medical Center's Fisher Houses, whose loved ones are receiving medical care, received $2,000 in gift cards to help with daily expenses. The cards were presented by Bank of Hawaii, the Tripler Federal Credit Union and the Armed Forces Financial Network.

The Aloha Boat Days fundraiser collected more than $10,000 at its ninth annual luncheon aboard the Pride of America in commemoration of the time when all Hawaii visitors arrived by ship. Aloha Boat Days is a nonprofit agency, funded partially by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, that welcomes each cruise liner's arrival at the Port of Honolulu.

Fourth-grade teacher Sarah Ferreira at DeSilva Elementary School in Hilo received the 2007 American Stars of Teaching Award from the U.S. Department of Education. The award recognizes one teacher in each state who is improving student achievement and using new strategies.

American Savings Bank gave $167,000 to the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine athletics program. The amount will be used to fund a scholarship program in the name of the late U.S. Rep. Patsy T. Mink, who authored Title IX legislation for gender equity in education.

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