The Asian Studies program of the School of Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific Studies at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa has announced recipients in its scholarship programs.

They are: Jennifer Chau, the James Shigeta Scholarship; Bryan Smith and Lindsey Wong, the Japan Travel Bureau Scholarship; and Michael Gardner, the Starr Foundation Graduate Fellowship.

Chau will study third-level Mandarin in a 10-week summer program in Hainan, China. Gardner is taking intensive language courses in Indonesia this summer. Smith and Wong will receive aid enabling them to complete undergraduate studies.

Two Honolulu students have been chosen as delegates to the U.S. Senate Youth Program, which is dedicated to inspiring future leaders. They are: Francis Choe, of Saint Louis School, and Carolyn Pearce, of Mid-Pacific Institute.

Students are selected by the state superintendents of education across the country. They receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., and a $5,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies.

Christina Pirscher and Scott Pirscher, both students at Kapi'olani Community College, have been named Collegiate All-American Scholars by the U.S. Achievement Academy.

Recipients must earn a 3.3 grade point average or higher.

Susann Marie Kakilala has been awarded an academic scholarship to attend Central Baptist College in Conway, Ark. A 2007 Lanakila Baptist High School graduate, she will pursue a bachelor of arts degree in music.

The state public library system has received a $1.2 million federal grant for fiscal year 2007 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Every year, the IMLS distributes these funds through state library agencies across the nation as part of the Library Services and Technology Act. In turn, the states provide at least $1 for every $2 of federal support.

"Without this federal funding, the Hawai'i State Public Library System would not be able to function," said state librarian Jo Ann Schindler. "We are very grateful to the Institute of Museum and Library Services and to our Congressional delegation, who have continued to be very supportive of our HSPLS initiatives."

The Hawai'i Theatre Center has received a second $52,000 grant from the Mary D. and Walter F. Frear Eleemosynary Trust to support its educational programs and specifically the continuation of an education director.

Frear awarded the Hawai'i Theatre $52,000 last year, to hire its first education director, Hester Kamin, to help create a program at the Hawai'i Theatre for students in kindergarten through grade 12. The formation of the Hawai'i Young Actors Ensemble, with Maryknoll School as a partner, enabled the theater organize an apprenticeship program to stage Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in May.

Youth classes continue this summer, culminating in a July stage production and an expansion of the apprenticeships with a planned April 2008 launch of a second Shakespeare play, "The Tempest."

For details on the education program, call Kamin at 732-0358.