$3.8M released for UH tech center

The governor's office released $3.8 million this month to finish the design of an Information Technology Center on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus.

Keller Hall, built in 1959, houses the computer-network servers for UH's 10 statewide campuses. The computers are on the ground floor, which puts them at risk during floods and heavy rains, the governor's office said in a news release. About $1 million already has been spent on design work.

The total cost of the project is about $61 million. The university plans to ask the Legislature for about $28 million in taxpayer bonds and finance another $28 million, most likely from student tuition, to pay for the construction. If the money is approved, construction could start in January 2010 and be completed in July 2011.

The project will also bring together the university's computing center, phone system, and data and video communications in one building with additional security, backup air conditioning and a backup generator. The building will also serve as the university's emergency center.

Help distribute the Bill of Rights

Volunteers are needed to help give away free copies of the Bill of Rights next month for National Bill of Rights Day, said the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii.

The public giveaway is planned for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 15 in downtown Honolulu and in Hilo, Lihue and Wailuku. The event celebrates the 217th anniversary of the Bill of Rights' ratification.

To volunteer or request a free copy of the Bill of Rights, call the ACLU at (808) 522-5906 or visit http://www.acluhawaii.org.

Tax-aid agencies receive $78,000

Three local agencies that help the public prepare tax returns received more than $78,000 in matching grants from the Internal Revenue Service.

Aloha United Way in Honolulu was awarded $57,375; Legal Aid Society of Hawaii in Honolulu, $15,785; and Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. in Wailuku, $5,000, according to an announcement by U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.

The three organizations are among 111 groups nationwide to receive the grants. The funds came from the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which primarily assists people from low- and moderate-income households file their tax returns free of charge.

A call for nominations

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin invites you to nominate people who have made a difference in Hawaii during the past year.

They can be people who fought controversial battles in public or worked behind the scenes in any field — community service, education, politics, law, labor, medicine, science, business, sports, entertainment, the arts.

To nominate someone, explain why you think the person should be honored. Deadline for nominations is Dec. 5.

Honorees will be selected by Star-Bulletin editors. We will publish the results starting Dec. 22.

Please include the following information: your name, your nomination, and your work and home telephone numbers.

E-mail your nominations to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or mail them to 10 Who Made a Difference, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96813.