WASHINGTON — Hawaii U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye announced today that an emergency federal grant of more than $389,000 has been released to help laid-off Molokai Ranch workers find new jobs.

"Loss of employment, especially due to circumstances beyond your control, is a painful experience," Inouye said in a news release issued by his office. "This grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is a helping hand to laid-off Molokai Ranch workers, as they seek new jobs. The federal funds will allow the state to offer displaced workers skills assessment, individual career counseling, and job retraining."

The grant of $389,425 is expected to help about 60 workers.

Three months ago, Molokai Ranch – owned by Molokai Properties, a subsidiary of GuocoLeisure Ltd. of Singapore – announced its was shutting down operations because of declining revenue, and it sealed off access to its properties, which cover more than one-third of Molokai. The action came amid community opposition to its development plans for the island. More than 120 workers were laid off.