University of Hawaii chosen for DHS research center

University of Hawaii chosen for DHS research center    The University of Hawaii at Manoa, flagship campus of the state's university system, has been selected by the federal Department of Homeland Security as one of two universities chosen to be 'co-leaders' in the establishment of a new homeland security Center of Excellence for Maritime, Island, and Port Security.
   Hawaii senatorial delegation of Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka announced Tuesday that the UH campus at Manoa will join the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J. in jointly conducting research under the auspices of the new center.
   Each university will receive a federal grant of up to $2 million per year over a 4- to 6-year period to support development of the program. DHS has split the areas of responsibilities for the center between the two universities, with the University of Hawaii charged with conducting problem-solving research into maritime and island security issues while the Stevens Institute of Technology will focus on research into port security.
   'The University of Hawaii's location and its research and intellectual expertise make it the ideal institution to conduct the multidisciplinary research to develop the programs vital to securing Hawaii and remote coastal areas from terrorist threats and natural disasters, such as tsunamis and earthquakes,' said Inouye, a senior member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. 'UH will provide the security tools we need, as well as recovery blueprints from natural disasters.'