Case urges educational groups to apply now for share of $9.5 million in federal assistance available for Native Hawaiian educational services in FY ’06

Honolulu, Hawai‘i – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i, 2nd District) is urging Native Hawaiian educational and community-based groups to apply for a share of $9.5 million dollars in federal grants to support innovative projects to educate Native Hawaiian children and adults in fiscal year 2006. The grant awards will range from $375,000 to $1.1 million.

“The U.S. Department of Education is accepting grant applications through the Native Hawaiian Education Program, established by Senator Daniel Inouye, today through March 24, 2006, and I’m urging organizations involved in the education of Native Hawaiians to consider this opportunity,” said Case.

“I commend the Department for increasing its outreach efforts by working closely with the Native Hawaiian Education Council and the Native Hawaiian community. I am also confident that USDOE will build upon its success of last year by reaching out to more Native Hawaiian communities in the near future, and I am particularly pleased that it has allowed more time for applicants to prepare for this year’s awards process.

“In past years, not enough organizations in areas of my district with large numbers of Native Hawaiians—particularly on the Wai‘anae Coast and Moloka‘i—had been aware of these grants. Last year, I worked with the U.S. Department of Education and the Native Hawaiian Education Council in conducting targeted outreach efforts by sponsoring workshops that helped Native Hawaiian groups apply for these grants. In total, $14.5 million was subsequently awarded to 29 various organizations and programs last year, including schools and groups that received federal funds from this program for the first time in my 2nd Congressional District.

“During last year’s round of funding, Kaunakakai and Kualapu‘u elementary schools on Moloka‘i and Moloka‘i Community Service Council received funds to improve student performance in the classroom. On the Wai‘anae Coast of O‘ahu, Wai‘anae High School Alumni and Community Foundation received a grant for its Digital Media Halau Project and Nanaikapono Elementary School, whose majority of students is Native Hawaiian, applied to receive this grant for the first time last year and received funds to enhance a literacy program at the school.”

The U.S. Department of Education will give competitive preference to applicants proposing projects that are designed to address one or more of the following:
• Beginning reading and literacy among students in kindergarten through third grade;
• The needs of at-risk children and youth;
• The needs in fields or disciplines in which Native Hawaiians are underemployed; and
• The use of the Hawaiian language in instruction.

Interested applicants may obtain a copy of the application package via the Internet by using the following address: http://www.ed.gov/programs/nathawaiian/applicant.html. Individuals may also obtain a copy of the application package by contacting:
• Beth Fine, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 3W223, Washington, DC 20202-6200. Telephone: (202) 260-1091 or e-mail: beth.fine@ed.gov; or
• Francisco Ramirez, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 3W225, Washington, DC 20202-6200. Telephone: (202) 260-1541 or e-mail: francisco.ramirez@ed.gov.
Information is also available on Case’s website at www.house.gov/case by clicking on “Native Hawaiian Education Program grant announcement” at the top of the homepage.