Gov. Linda Lingle has released $2.5 million to design and construct energy-efficiency improvements to the air conditioning at Bilger Addition at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa.

The money will be used to install more efficient technologies and improve the operational effectiveness of the system. The project is estimated to reduce the building's electrical consumption by approximately 700,000 kilowatt hours per year once completed.

"Like all of our state agencies, the University of Hawai'i is making a concerted effort to improve its energy efficiency and cut down on its electrical costs," Lingle said in a news release.

Design is scheduled to begin in November. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2009 and be done in June 2010.

ROTC TO HONOR FALLEN GRADUATES

The Army ROTC program at the University of Hawai'i will recognize six graduates who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country during a dedication ceremony at 4 p.m. Oct. 9 at the UH Army ROTC Department at the Manoa campus.

Lieutenants Tom Blevens (Class of 1965), Frank Rodriguez (1967), Brian Kong (1969), Jeremy Wolfe (2002), Nainoa Hoe (2003), and Jonathan Brostrom (Class of 2006) lost their lives in conflicts in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The ROTC program will dedicate a Wall of UH Fallen Warriors with each of them memorialized in a framed picture and story of their lives. The dedication is open to the public.

CLASSES GETTING FREE SUPPLIES

Naperville, Ill. — Nearly 1,300 teachers across the country — including some in Hawai'i — have been selected by their school's principals to receive free school supplies.

The surprise visits are part of OfficeMax's "A Day Made Better" held yesterday, a company news release said.

The company planned to distribute about $1.5 million worth of classroom supplies during surprise school visits, according to the release.

According to national studies conducted by the National Education Association, teachers spend an average of nearly $1,200 out of their own pockets each year for basic classroom supplies — adding up, nationally, to about $4 billion a year, the news release said.

In a move to provide some economic relief to teachers, hundreds of OfficeMax associates will honor these teachers with donations of much-needed school supplies.

VAMPIRE NOVELS RETURN TO SCHOOLS

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. — An Orange County school district has reinstated a series of fantasy vampire novels at its 12 middle schools after banning the books from campuses last week.

Capistrano Unified School District banned Stephanie Meyer's four-book "Twilight" series on Friday after a literacy program coordinator decided the subject matter was too "mature" for middle school students.

Middle school libraries were initially told to send the books to district offices for redistribution to area high schools, but the plan was called off on Tuesday. District spokeswoman Julie Hatchel said the books had a reading level of eighth grade and up.

The "Twilight" books tell the story of a 17-year old girl and her romantic relationship with a vampire.