U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka today applauded President George W. Bush's move to declare Hawai'i as a "major disaster" area in the wake of Sunday's earthquakes.

"The President's declaration gives a green light for federal funding in certain areas of reconstruction, however, I will continue to push for Individual Assistance funding, which has not yet been granted," Akaka said in a news release.

Akaka this morning sent a letter to President Bush urging him to apply federal funding to Hawai'i following the earthquakes.

Congress last month passed a bill that increases the Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance available to states after a disaster. Hawai'i is now allowed to use 15 percent of the FEMA funding received - up from the previous limit of 7.5 percent - for preventative measures, such as strengthening building structure so they shake less during an earthquake, Akaka's office said.