Foundation gives $1.7M to museum

The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation is providing a $1.7 million grant for Bishop Museum's restoration of its Hawaiian Hall complex and other upgrades.

The funds also will support upgrades to the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center.

The Castle Foundation has been one of the largest supporters of the museum's most important science, education and cultural projects, according to Timothy Johns, museum president and chief executive officer.

In 1989, Harold K.L. Castle Memorial Hall - which houses traveling exhibits, the “;Pauahi: A Legacy for Hawaii”; exhibition, conservation laboratories and other facilities - was opened in honor of the foundation's namesake, according to a news release.

Consular Corps names new dean

Toshio Kunikata, honorary consul general of Japan, will be named as dean of the Consular Corps of Hawaii for 2009 at its 57th annual inaugural ball tomorrow.

As dean, Kunikata will continue the organization's work to promote trade, maintain close relations with local governments and the military, and support culture and the arts.

The Consular Corps will honor U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye with its Distinguished Service Award and present its Distinguished Service Medal to Dean Emeritus William Paupe, honorary consul of Kiribati and a former minister-counselor in the U.S. State Department.

Lifetime Achievement Awards will be given to Gen. Herbert E. Wolff, honorary consul of Malaysia, and Laurence Vogel, honorary consul of Denmark, both former deans of the Consular Corps.