OHA, UH join in teacher program

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the College of Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa are developing a program to support native Hawaiian speakers on Niihau.

OHA is giving the Ho'okulaiwi: 'Aha Ho'ona'auao 'Oiwi program at UH-Manoa $40,000 to establish a teacher certification program for five educators from Niihau.

The Ho'okulaiwi program in the College of Education prepares teachers for Hawaiian-language immersion schools and charter schools and conducts research in curriculum.

The goal is to graduate the teachers with a bachelor's degree at the end of 2012 through internships at Nanaikapono Elementary School on Oahu, conferences with other Ho'okulaiwi students and university courses on Niihau.

Give household items for seniors

A drive to collect useful items for needy senior citizens will be held at Ala Moana Center tomorrow from noon to 2:30 p.m.

The public is invited to drop off toiletries, blankets, gift cards, shampoo, paper towels and similar items during the drive, which is sponsored by Aloha United Way's Society of Young Leaders.

After tomorrow's event at Ala Moana's CenterStage, the drive will continue until Nov. 28 at Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union locations on Oahu. Its headquarters are at 832 S. Hotel St. The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and Aloha United Way will also serve as collection points.

Donations will be distributed through Lokahi and Aloha United Way's partner agencies.

Donate food, get special night out

WAILUKU » A couple of businesses in Lahaina have joined to provide a dinner-and-theater discount offering to encourage the public to donate canned food to the Maui Food Bank.

Ruth's Chris Steak House and the theatrical production “;'Ulalena”; are offering a $79.95 package with dinner and a theater ticket, if a person donates six cans of food.

Ruth's Chris' offering includes a three-course meal with salad and various meat items, such a small steak, chicken or fish. The package represents a $50 savings in dinner and entertainment, organizers said.

For special package reservations, call 661-9914.

Learn about elder law at seminar

Elder Law and Caregiving will be the topic of a state Judiciary public information session from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The session will be in the Supreme Court Conference Room at 417 S. King St. and feature University of Hawaii Elder Law Program Director James Pietsch.

Pietsch is also a UH William S. Richardson School of Law professor and an adjunct professor of geriatric medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine.

He co-authored the recent publication “;Deciding Who Cares? A Legal Handbook for Hawaii's Older Persons, Their Families and Caregivers,”; which will be available at the presentation for free.

The session is part of the Judiciary's “;Lunch 'n' Learn the Law”; program, a series of free seminars on the law and the courts.

For more information, call the Judiciary Public Affairs office at 539-4909.

Apply for state ID at Kapolei High

Application for state identification cards will be processed at Kapolei High School today from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The fee is $10 for senior citizens 65 and older, and $15 for all others, payable in cash only. State ID cards will be processed and mailed to applicants within 10 business days.

Priority will be given to applicants with completed forms and required certified documents.

New applicants must provide an original Social Security card and a certified copy of their birth certificate.

For changes in status or name due to marriage, divorce, annulment, adoption or citizenship, the applicable certified government documents must be provided.

For more information, call 587-3111 or visit www.stateid.hawaii.gov.