MEDIA RELEASE

Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye have announced Hawaii is eligible to receive more than $13.5 million in grants distributed by the Department of Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2011.

“DHS grants are critical to enhancing states’ preparedness efforts, especially now with Hawaii and other states facing serious budget constraints,” said Akaka, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

“I am disappointed that Hawaii did not qualify for as much grant funding this fiscal year as last year. The recent tsunami scare reminds us how important it is to support state homeland security capabilities. With the APEC conference just months away, we need to be prepared,” Akaka said.

“I am very disappointed that Hawaii lost homeland security grant funding this fiscal year,” Inouye said. “These federal funds are essential to ensuring that Hawaii is prepared for natural and manmade disasters, especially at a time when state and county funds are stretched thin. Hawaii’s position in the Pacific means we are uniquely vulnerable to hurricanes, tsunami, flooding and other severe weather. Our proximity to Asia and the coming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference are reminders that Hawaii must maintain the capability to respond to any threat in order to keep our visitors and residents safe.”

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has released the application guidance and allocations for the grants programs. DHS limited the number of cities eligible for Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant funding.

Under the new formula, Honolulu did not qualify and will not receive any UASI funding in FY2011. Hawaii received $4.7 million in FY2010.

However, Hawaii remains eligible to receive funding from the following grant programs:

* State Homeland Security Grant Program – the State is eligible to receive $5,137,205 to support its homeland security planning, equipment, and training activities

* Emergency Management Performance Grant Program – the State is eligible to receive $3,287,765 to enhance its emergency management capabilities

* Port Security Grant Program – the State is eligible to receive $2,762,408 to protect critical port infrastructure in the Honolulu and Barbers Point port areas

* Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program – the State is eligible to receive $1,281,976 to enhance regional and community planning for emergency situations

* Drivers License Security Grant Program – the State is eligible to receive $701,062 to improve the reliability of State issued personal identification documents

* Metropolitan Medical Response System – Honolulu is eligible to receive $281,693 to enhance local response efforts for mass casualty incidents

* Citizen Corps Program – the State is eligible to receive $99,702 to coordinate involvement of community members and organizations in emergency management.

In addition, the State is eligible to apply for funding from Operations Stonegarden and Emergency Operations Center Grant Program.

— Find out more:
www.fema.gov/grants