Buddhist school granted $1.5M

Pacific Buddhist Academy has been awarded a $1.5 million grant by the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, lifting it to 70 percent of its capital campaign goal.

Founded in 2003, the academy is the nation’s only Shin Buddhist high school and reached an enrollment high of 72 students last year. It is open to students of all faiths.

The $7 million-plus campaign aims to finance a new building with a science lab, tea ceremony room and more classrooms to accommodate future growth. Its campus is next to Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii on Pali Highway near downtown Honolulu.

"We are honored to have the Weinberg Foundation recognize our efforts to provide students with a truly transformational high school experience designed to inspire them to serve the world in the spirit of peace," said Joel Determan, chairman of PBA’s board of trustees.

The college preparatory school incorporates Buddhist values such as gratitude, compassion and interconnection into its lesson plans. It offers a flexible curriculum that combines core subjects with cultural activities such as taiko and drama.

Through its PeaceBridge Project, seniors tackle real-world projects and may attend college classes. All of its graduates have been accepted to colleges and universities.

Fire helicopter lands after engine failure  

A Hawaii County Fire Department helicopter made an emergency landing Wednesday after an engine failed during a hurricane evacuation mission along the Hamakua coastline

The helicopter set down at Honokana Nui cabin in the Pololu Valley area. No one was injured and the helicopter was not damaged, the fire department said.

The Coast Guard notified the fire department about the emergency landing at 12:44 p.m.

A Paradise helicopter located the aircraft and notified the fire dispatch center. The helicopter crew was brought out of the area about 2 p.m.

An aircraft mechanic will assess the helicopter for removal, the fire department said. The department has a backup helicopter service to respond to emergency calls.

Quakes shake Big Island, but no harm done

Two small earthquakes rattled Hawaii island Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The quakes, both magnitude-3, struck at 3:07 p.m. and 4:41 p.m.

The first had an epicenter in the ocean about 6 miles north of the entrance to Akaka Falls State Park, north of Hilo, at a depth of 25 miles. The second was just under 4 miles west-southwest of Volcano, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported Wednesday that 14 earthquakes were strong enough to be located beneath Kilauea Volcano over the previous 24 hours: four northwest of the summit, three beneath the caldera, one beneath the lower Southwest Rift Zone, two beneath the Koae fault system and four on south flank faults. No magnitudes were given.

Governor reports another $135,000 raised

Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Wednesday reported raising more than $135,000 since July 25 for his re-election campaign, for more than $5 million overall.

Challenger state Sen. David Ige reported raising about $27,960 since July 25 and $549,750 overall.