Next year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in Honolulu has been designated a national special security event by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Gov. Linda Lingle made the announcement today, saying the designation means the federal government will help the state and city cover some of the costs relating to the meeting to be hosted by President Barack Obama.

Lingle says federal agencies, state and local law enforcement, and public safety agencies will coordinate security as well as contingency plans for the APEC meeting to be held at the Hawaii Convention Center Nov. 12-13, 2011.

The governor says she learned of the designation in a letter from Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.