School gets recycled computers

A “;new again”; computer lab for Maili Elementary School has been constructed out of old computers designated as e-waste.

The project, announced Saturday by the University of Hawaii at Manoa, was coordinated by the university's College of Education, the Hawaii Open Source Education Foundation and the Pan-pacific Distance Learning Association.

Volunteers were taught how to disassemble and reassemble computers, and having older computers use a newer server as their processing center.

The new server was provided by the PPDLA through $1,000 in donations. Basic functions like typing, spelling software, graphics and math are available at 22 old laptops to create the “;thin client”; lab. Thin client labs depend on a central server for processing activities.

Charter schools get new director

Vanelle Maunalei Love has been appointed executive director of the Charter School Administrative Office, a Charter School news release said.

Love served as interim executive director since September and in 2006 and 2007. She also co-founded the Hawaii Charter School Network.

A Kamehameha Schools graduate and kumu hula, Love has taught Hawaiian studies and hula to students with learning disabilities.

Needy family to get donated car

As part of the National Auto Body Council's Recycled Rides Program, Oka's Auto Body in Waipahu will present a refurbished vehicle to a needy family next Monday.

On the same day, approximately 40 collision repair centers will simultaneously donate vehicles to families in need throughout the United States, a release said.

Oka's partnered with the nonprofit Lokahi Giving Project to identify a local family to receive the vehicle, provided by State Farm Insurance. The family is from Maui and will be presented the car at 6:30 p.m.

Recycled Rides is a community awareness project in which members of the NABC repair and donate recycled vehicles to these families. For more information visit www.recycledrides.org.

Library seminar to address fraud

Hawaii Kai Public Library will have a free one-hour seminar about investment fraud on Saturday.

The 11 a.m. event, “;Who We Are and What We Do,”; will explain how people can protect themselves from investment fraud, and provide advice on where to get help if they become a victim of fraud.

The presentation will be given by Theresa Kong Kee, investor education specialist at the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of the Securities Commissioner.

Attendees will receive a free copy of the booklet “;Hawaii's Fraud Prevention & Resource Guide.”;

Program touts music for toddlers

Parents of young children are being invited to learn about the benefits of music for toddlers during a free program tomorrow at Waipahu Public Library.

The event, “;Musikgarten—Family Music for Toddlers,”; will be held from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. in the C.O. Andy Anderson Room.

Parents, who need to register to attend, will be able to participate with toddlers ages 1 to 3 in singing, dancing, listening and playing simple instruments.

The library is at 94-275 Mokuola St. Interested parents can register for the program by calling 675-0358.