The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has awarded a $46,500 grant to Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) for its Center for Native Hawaiian Prevention Education. PREL will use the money to create "culturally appropriate parent education materials" to help Native Hawaiian parents talk with their children about school truancy and violence, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and crime.

"Parent and community support is vital to the success of programs designed to prevent young people from harming themselves and others through antisocial behaviors," said Gabe Nae'ole, director of the PREL program.

Although created for Native Hawaiians, the materials will be made available to everyone via the PREL website. PREL will also provide training to parents and other community members on incorporating the materials into classes and workshops.

PREL is a non-profit company based in Honolulu with affiliates throughout the Pacific Rim, and focuses on bridging the gap between research, theory, and practice in education. It provides services to schools, including curriculum development, assessment, and evaluation.