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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, November 4, 2003

$22.3 million in federal grants available for Hawai'i to battle terrorism

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

More than $22.3 million in federal grants has been set aside for state and local agencies in Hawai'i to help them fight the war on terrorism, the Department of Homeland Security announced yesterday.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced the grants, saying the money would "enhance the abilities of the first responders to prevent, respond and recover from potential acts of terrorism."

State officials nationwide will be able to request money online through a new, more user-friendly process, Ridge said. He said it would help improve preparedness.

"State and local communication and coordination, after all, reflects the very nature of homeland security, the federal government working with the hometowns of America to keep our country safe and free," Ridge said.

The largest amount of money — more than $16.9 million — is available from the federal government's State Homeland Security Program. It would help law-enforcement agencies pay for planning, training, equipment and exercises.

About $5 million from the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program is to help fight terrorism with a focus on preventing the use of weapons of mass destruction.

The remaining $352,000 will be available to support Citizen Corps Councils with planning, outreach and management. Such councils, which are not yet organized in Hawai'i, bring together community volunteers who may have experience useful during a terrorism-related crisis or natural disaster.

Hawai'i authorities must apply for the money in December, said Maj. Charles Anthony, spokesman for the Hawai'i National Guard, which handles Civil Defense.

It is too soon to say specifically what Hawai'i will ask for, he said.

Reach Mike Gordon at 525-8012 or mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.