The Associated Press
HONOLULU

The state-sponsored "Hawaii Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment" project is getting an $8.7 million federal grant, Hawaii Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka announced Tuesday.

The island Democrats said in a news release issued in Washington that the grant comes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

"This initiative shows that, with proper preventive medical treatment, diabetic adults can maintain their health and continue to be productive members of society," Inouye said. "They can continue working and also lead active lives."

Akaka said counseling is an important component of the project.

"With professional guidance, participants set health- and employment-related goals, and they then strive to meet those goals," he said.

Inouye and Akaka also announced Kuakini Medical Center's study of brain aging in the very old is getting a $1.5 million federal grant.