The Office of Hawaiian Affairs awarded $20,000 to Papa Ola Lokahi to continue to convene kupuna (Hawaiian elders) to discuss traditional Hawaiian healing practices.

The nonprofit native Hawaiian organization will support Kupuna Councils at five Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems statewide. The systems are Ho'ola Lahui Hawaii, on Kauai and Niihau; Ke Ola Mamo, Oahu; Na Pu'uwai, Molokai and Lanai; Hui No Ke Ola Pono, Maui, and Hui Malama Ola Na 'Oiwi, Big Island.

» Six students from Hawaii are among 560 national semifinalists in the 2009 Presidential Scholars Program, selected from more than 3,000 candidates. Finalists will be announced later this month.

Semifinalists include Allison J. Chen, William A. Kearns, Nicholas H. Schaefer and Elise L. Timtim, all of Punahou School; Robert J. Tamai of 'Iolani School; and Lucia Mocz of Mililani High School.