WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka announced today that the State of Hawaii and the City and County of Honolulu will receive more than $2.4 million in grants from the Department of Homeland Security.

The largest - for $1,616,527 for the state Department of Transportation - is for port security, they said.

The State of Hawaii will also receive $385,000 from Homeland Security's Buffer Zone Protection Program.  This program aims to protect and secure critical infrastructure, such as power plants and other high-risk facilities.

The City and County of Honolulu's Department of Transportation will receive $399,862 from Homeland Security's bus transit security grant program.

"These federal funds are most welcome because they will help to ensure that Hawaii is protected, and, if necessary, able to respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other emergencies," said Senator Inouye.

Senator Akaka added: "Hawaii's infrastructure is a complex web that serves our local families and businesses well, and we must be vigilant of any potential life-threatening disruption."

Senator Inouye is Chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.  Senator Akaka is a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security.

-30-