A $5 million federal grant has been awarded to the Hawai'i Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawai'i School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology to establish a one of two national marine renewable energy research centers, it was announced yesterday by U.S. Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye.

The institute will receive $1 million per year for up to five years from the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct renewable energy research and development of technologies which harness the power of waves and ocean thermal energy conversion.

"Surrounded by water and dependent on imported oil, Hawai'i can and should be a leader in harnessing alternative energy from the ocean," Akaka said.