FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. SENATOR DANIEL K. INOUYE:

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka announced today that Alu Like, Inc., the Honolulu-based, nonprofit, social-service agency serving Native Hawaiians, will receive a federal grant of $1 million for its Native Hawaiian Child Care Assistance Project.

The grant, from the Department of Health and Human Services, is for the year-long period that began on July 1, 2007.

"Since its establishment in 1975, Alu Like has been in the forefront of the effort to  assist Native Hawaiians achieve social and economic self-sufficiency," said Senators Inouye and Akaka.  "One of its important efforts is the multifaceted Native Hawaiian Child Care Assistance Project, which offers child-care assistance, and, for child-care providers, workshops on child development and early childhood education.  Our keiki are our future, and we must ensure that they have every opportunity for a future filled with hope."

Senators Inouye and Akaka also announced that the Department of Health and Human Services is also awarding grants to Maui Family Support Services, Inc., of Wailuku, and the National Institute of Nursing Research at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Maui Family Support Services will receive nearly $549,000 for its Early Head Start Program.  The National Institute of Nursing will receive nearly $181,000 for a project involving culturally relevant risk-reduction intervention with Native Hawaiian mothers.

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