Hawaii has received $5.2 million to help workers who lost their jobs when Aloha Airlines and ATA Airlines stopped passenger flights. 

In a statement, Hawaii's congressional delegation said the following:

"There is an immediate need for this assistance because the shutdown of both Aloha and ATA created a severe situation in our community," said U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye in a statement.

U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka added: "These federal resources will help working families recover from the loss of their jobs at Aloha Airlines and ATA Airlines by providing job counseling and retraining opportunities."

U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie said: "Offering laid-off airline employees career counseling, skills assessment, job retraining, and relocation assistance won't help them pay their rent or put food on the table immediately, but it's a productive step."

U.S. Representative Mazie Hirono added: "This much-needed boost in assistance for those who are still unemployed comes at a time when Hawaii residents are feeling the burden of rising prices not only at the gas station but also at the grocery store."

About $3.3 million will be released immediately. 

It's estimated 710 of the 2 airlines former employees will participate in the counseling, skills assessment, and job retraining program.