HONOLULU — Federal and state disaster recovery officials have scheduled applicant briefings for Kaua'i County and the City & County of Honolulu concerning the federal public assistance program at the following times and locations:

• 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the state Civil Defense Birkhimer Tunnel in Diamond Head State Park.

• 9-11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at the Kaua'i Civil Defense Agency, Suite 100, 3990 Kaana St., Lihu'e, Kaua'i.

On Jan. 6, President Bush signed a major disaster declaration in response to the heavy rains and flooding that affected Hawai'i Dec. 10-16.

The declaration made funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private, nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in Kaua'i County and the City & County of Honolulu for eligible recovery projects.

Federal funding assistance may apply to part of the costs for eligible repairs, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of public infrastructure such as roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and contents, public utilities and parks, and other recreational facilities.

Private, nonprofit organizations eligible to receive public assistance funds are those that provide certain services otherwise performed by a government agency.

Representatives of state, county and certain private, nonprofit organizations that may be eligible for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance program are encouraged to attend. For additional information, call Suzanne Toguchi at 808-733-4320, ext. 213.