The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $9.5 million contract to Dawson Group/Environet Joint Venture LLC, a Native Hawaiian organization, to continue unexploded ordnance cleanup work at a 137,000-acre former World War II military training area between Waikoloa Village and Waimea on the Big Island.

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye today announced the contract.

Since 2002, the Corps has safely disposed of aboiut 2,000 unexploded munitions, cleared over 8,000 acres and recycled over 250 tons of munition and other military debris, Inouye said.

"I wish to commend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for reaching out to qualified Hawai'i companies to continue the clean-up effort," Inouye said. "I have no doubt that they will undertake their tasks with professionalism and environmental and cultural sensitivity."