$2.2M in federal grants will help isles' homeless

Hawaii will receive $2.2 million in federal grants to aid the homeless and people at risk of becoming homeless.

The state will distribute the grant, which was part of the federal stimulus package, to nine agencies, the Hawaii Public Housing Authority said.

Funding from the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program focuses on providing assistance to those at greatest risk of losing their homes.

“;The state is committed to leveraging state resources with federal resources to continue to develop solutions to homelessness and to help those at risk of becoming homeless,”; said housing authority executive director Chad Taniguchi.

Genetics society to meet at Convention Center

Leading authorities in the field of genetics are due to gather in the islands in October.

The American Society of Human Genetics said this week it will hold its annual meeting at the Hawaii Convention Center from Oct. 20 to 24.

The scientists are expected to share their latest research results from fields including biotechnology, cancer genetics, genetic testing and treatments of genetic disease.

The American Society of Human Genetics has nearly 8,000 members, including researchers, academics, clinicians, genetic counselors and nurses.

Kauai mayor recommends landfill site

Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. has recommended a location for a new landfill to replace one that will fill up in a few years.

The 127-acre site, called the “;Umi”; site, is located along Halewili Road between Kalaheo and Niumila Camp. It is owned by Alexander & Baldwin.

The new landfill would replace the county's Kekaha landfill, which is expected to exhaust its capacity in seven years.

A county study ranked the Umi site as the top location out of eight potential sites, the county said on Friday.

County officials plan to do outreach in the nearby communities of Brydeswood and Niumila. View the landfill study at http://www.kauai.gov.