HILO  >> The Na Pua Noeau program at the University of Hawaii, Hilo has received a half-million dollar grant in support of its project to increase the number of Native Hawaiian students entering health fields.

The three-year U.S. Department of Education grant will help Na Pua Noeau provide pathways to health careers for students of Hawaiian ancestry from kindergarten through professional school.

The university said Thursday nearly 2,000 students and family members took part in the Ke Ola Mau project last year.

The project provides academic and cultural support and a stipend to eligible Hawaiian students at UH Hilo and UH Manoa majoring in a health career field.

Na Pua Noeau is a program for gifted and talented Native Hawaiian children. It’s funded by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.