Eight Maui teachers and counselors are participating this week in the "Tools of the Trade" internship program co-sponsored by The Pacific Resource Partnership and Alexander & Baldwin Inc.

The weeklong program gives faculty in the Department of Education's Construction Academy skills and knowledge to help prepare students for careers in the construction industry. The teachers are meeting with developers and visiting project sites while gaining exposure to architecture, subcontracting, construction techniques and sustainable development.

Participants are Jeremy Delos Reyes and Mike Sado of Lahainaluna, Warren Soong and Tad Iwata of Maui High School, Kurt Reinecke and Tyler Orikasa of King Kekaulike High School, and Theresa Sakevitz and Thomas Nakamoto of Baldwin High School.

Construction Academy is a statewide program that enhances curriculum and pre-apprenticeship training opportunities for students at 34 public high schools. It is administered through the University of Hawai'i's Community College system in partnership with the DOE.

HELP KIDS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES

The Children's Alliance of Hawai'i is seeking donations for its annual Back to School Project, which provides school supplies for sexually abused children.

The nonprofit is looking for donations of: backpacks, pens and pencils, colored pencils and markers, scissors, notebooks and composition books, folder paper and two-pocket folders, glue and glue sticks and any other school supplies. The nonprofit also accepts monetary donations.

"These backpacks are very special to these children because they remind them that someone cares about them and their needs," said Alfred Herrera, president of CAH.

Last year, the nonprofit distributed 175 backpacks to sexually abused children. To donate, call 599-2955, ext. 216, or visit www.cahawaii.org.

THEATRE OFFERING APPRENTICESHIPS

The Hawai'i Theatre is now accepting applications from high school students interested in technical apprenticeships.

The program will be for the 2008-2009 school year. Areas of study include stage management, set design, lighting design and costume design.

Interviews will be held at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Hawai'i Theatre. Lab cost is $250. Need-based scholarships are available. For more information and an application, call 791-1314.

CHAMINADE GETS $100,000 GRANT

A $100,000 grant pledged by First Hawaiian Bank will assist Chaminade University with the expansion of its Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

The grant, which will be awarded over a four-year period, will be used to upgrade and expand all laboratories, classrooms, faculty offices and other research support areas that serve Chaminade's Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

The new facilities are part of a comprehensive $9 million, multi-phased project to renovate Henry Hall, one of the original buildings on Chaminade's campus.

Chaminade's focus on its Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics was spurred by an increase in students with declared majors in the division, which offers courses in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics and forensic sciences.