WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka announced today that the Fiscal Year 2008 omnibus appropriations bill – which both chambers of Congress passed earlier this week and which is expected to be signed into law soon by the President – includes nearly $845 million for vital Hawaii-related initiatives.
More than half of the total – nearly $534 million – are for military construction projects, Senators Inouye and Akaka said.
The bill also sets aside $25 million for a Pacific region biodefense laboratory in Hawaii, more than $15 million for the Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project, nearly $4.6 million to replace the slowly sinking USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center, and $4 million for the expansion of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on Oahu, the veteran lawmakers noted.
“All of the funded projects will improve the quality of life in Hawaii and preserve our precious and unique ecosystems. The projects are important investments for a better future for Hawaii and its people,” said Senator Inouye, a longtime member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “I am especially pleased that this legislation provides more than $68 million for programs that directly benefit Native Hawaiians, and address their healthcare, educational, housing, and job training needs.”
“This bill,” Senator Akaka said, “provides essential funding for the state of Hawaii that will increase access to educational opportunities, healthcare services, economic development opportunities, and transportation. It will help strengthen organizations in Hawaii that provide essential healthcare, housing, and education services. This legislation also supports efforts in Hawaii to promote sustainable agricultural production and improve our island infrastructure to address our unique security and economic needs.”
Senator Akaka, Chairman of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, added: “Nationally, this important legislation shows our veterans that they are a priority for this country, and they deserve the additional $3.7 billion above the President’s budget request. This measure also includes much needed funding to improve our military infrastructure.”
The omnibus funding legislation brings together 11 of the 12 regular appropriations bills. The Department of Defense appropriations measure was shepherded through the Senate earlier this year by Senator Inouye, who chairs the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. It was signed into law on November 13, 2007.
The following are the Hawaii-related initiatives in the omnibus funding bill:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
U.S. Pacific Basin Agriculture Research Center (PBARC)
Construction $1,750,000
Research Funds $2,403,000
Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture Research $3,580,500
This funding will be used to continue agriculture research programs that are applicable to growers in tropical and subtropical regions. The program specializes in methods to prevent and control invasive alien species, with the ultimate goal of lowering quarantine requirements. This goal is a priority for Pacific and Caribbean farmers because quarantine is one of their most significant trade barriers.
Agriculture Pre-clearance Quarantine Inspections $2,079,000
This appropriation funds a program, authorized by an amendment introduced by Senator Inouye to the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, that relieves the State of Hawaii of the cost of agriculture inspections at Neighbor Island airports. Those inspections are federally mandated, and would otherwise cost the State approximately $3 million annually.
Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions $1,609,000
This funding is part of a $3,218,000 appropriation for the Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions grant program. The purpose of this program is to strengthen educational activities, including applied research and community development projects, at universities and colleges with students of Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian ancestry. In the past, grants awarded to eligible Hawaii institutions focused on activities that lead to the development of value-added agricultural products, overseas markets, and Native Hawaiian-owned production and marketing businesses.
Tropical Aquaculture Research $1,542,000
The Oceanic Institute will use these funds to continue its Tropical Aquaculture Research program, which focuses on feeds, nutrition, and the global competitiveness of the domestic aquaculture industry.
Wildlife Services and Brown Tree Snake Management $1,135,000
These funds will be used to continue the operation of a State Wildlife Services Office in Hawaii, which provides on-site coordination of activities to control pests and diseases in Hawaii and the American Pacific, including efforts to control the brown tree snake and the coqui frog.
Hawaii Agriculture Research Center (HARC)
Diversified Agriculture Research $677,000
HARC focuses on improving the efficiency of sugarcane production, developing new products from sugarcane, and supporting the expansion of diversified agriculture in Hawaii. HARC’s ongoing projects include completing the genetic fingerprinting for coffee, pineapple, macadamia nuts, and papaya; identifying the genes responsible for fungal resistance in papaya; and supporting a sugarcane breeding program.
Agriculture Development and Resource Conservation $643,000
Funds would be used to continue this successful statewide agricultural development and resource conservation program. The program was initiated on Molokai and has been used to support agriculture development in the Molokai Hawaiian homestead community. It includes intensive training sessions to instill in new entrepreneurs the skills necessary for establishing and sustaining new agriculture-related businesses. This amount would be divided between the Counties of Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii.
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations $538,000
This appropriation will be used on the following watershed projects: Lower Hamakua Ditch Watershed ($207,000), Upcountry Maui Watershed ($207,000), and Wailuku-Alenaio ($124,000).
Papaya Ringspot and Pineapple Nematode $536,000
This appropriation will be used to monitor and refine control of the papaya ringspot virus, and to expand the techniques and knowledge obtained from this program to other diseases and pests. It will also be used to genetically engineer nematode and virus resistance in Hawaii’s best varieties of pineapples.
Agriculture Development in the American Pacific $375,000
This program addresses common Pacific island-based agriculture and community issues through cooperative research, extension, and instruction programs that are culturally appropriate, socially acceptable, economically viable, and environmentally compatible. The program’s objective is to help Pacific region residents live healthier and more productive lives by further developing their agricultural skills and knowledge.
Floriculture Industry $261,000
These funds will be used to support industry-directed research projects to develop new varieties of tropical flowers with unique appearances, that are disease resistant, and have longer shelf lives. These characteristics are critical to the floriculture industry’s ability to remain competitive in the global marketplace.
Minor Crop Pest Control $239,000
The funds will be used by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to develop environmentally compatible methods to control pests and diseases in tropical and subtropical agricultural systems.
Nontoxic Fruit Fly Control $211,000
These funds will continue the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources’ collaborative work on developing effective and nontoxic methods to control Tephritid fruit flies and to expand efforts to control and eradicate multiple pests that limit the exporting of Hawaii produce.
Rodent Control $173,000
The National Wildlife Research Center, Hilo Field Station, will use these funds to support efforts to control rodents in agricultural areas.
Fruit Fly Rearing Facility $150,000
This earmark would be used for the planning and design of a multi-species fruit fly breeding facility in Waimanalo. Fruit fly rearing is crucial to any long-term control strategy imperative for a thriving agricultural industry.
Subterranean Termites $139,000
Termites continue to be the most economically destructive insect pests in Hawaii and the American Pacific. These funds will be used to continue research to understand termite biology and ecology in Hawaii, develop environmentally friendly control methods that stop termites from destroying structures, and prevent new termite infestations from spreading throughout the Pacific.
Hawaii Plant Materials Center $114,000
These funds will enable the Hawaii Plant Materials Center to expand its seed production, continue seed production training in the community, and increase seed deliveries to the Island of Kahoolawe. The Center propagates native plants with the dual objective of supporting the federal cleanup and re-vegetation of Kahoolawe, and establishing economically competitive native plant nurseries. The Center’s achievements include developing a 20-acre nursery on Molokai.
Women in Technology $75,000
This is a technical assistance and workforce training project designed to assist small businesses on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai in the recruitment of women and minorities, groups that are under represented in technology-related careers.
Molokai Agriculture Development $72,000
This program features training, business coaching, and cost-share assistance to new agricultural enterprises that engage in sustainable agricultural development in this predominantly Native Hawaiian community.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
NOAA Pacific Regional Facility $20,000,000
This request will fund the next construction phase of a regional facility for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Ford Island in Honolulu’s Pearl Harbor. Collocation of Hawaii’s NOAA programs at a single facility will effectively catalyze their integration. The quirk of Hawaii’s island geography has made it impossible for the agency's workforce to ignore one another's presence because they are all physically present on Oahu. Going one step further and bringing the pieces together under a single roof will spur the transformation and lead to a united whole with a grasp far beyond the shores of Hawaii-out to the remote islands that would otherwise never have access to the breadth and depth of NOAA products we enjoy in the United States.
Support for NWHI Commercial Fishermen $6,697,500
On June 15, 2006, President Bush signed Presidential Proclamation 8031 creating the largest fully protected marine conservation area on the planet in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. By applying the authority of the Antiquities Act, he created the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument. As part of this Monument designation, commercial fishing in the Monument will be phased out over the next five years, and all commercial lobster fishing prohibited. The requested funding would be provided to the permit holders to compensate for future lost revenue due to the federal closure of their fishing grounds
NOAA Integrated Data and Environmental Applications Center $2,455,750
These funds are necessary to ensure the NOAA IDEA Center can continue to advance NOAA’s mission objectives to help meet critical regional needs for ocean, climate and ecosystem information to protect lives and property, support economic development, and enhance the resilience of Pacific Island communities in the face of changing environmental conditions. The IDEA Center supports regional and global observing systems and programs and develops new, integrated data products and environmental applications for the region.
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale
National Marine Sanctuary Learning Center $1,786,000
These funds will be used to complete the construction of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS) Learning Center on Maui.
International Pacific Research Center $1,786,000
These funds will support the University of Hawaii’s International Pacific Research Center (IPRC). Funding for IPRC is based upon priority needs developed in consultation with NOAA, and is consistent with the goals of the climate change program and the National Climatic Data Center set by NOAA leadership. As one of the only institutions conducting systematic and reliable climatographic research over the entire Pacific region, the data produced by IPRC will be indispensable in furthering our understanding climate change.
Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research $1,116,250
The Pelagic Fisheries Research Program (PFRP) conducted by the Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research is a wide-ranging primary and applied research program funded by a grant to the Joint Institute on Marine and Atmospheric Research. It supports the study of basic life history and biology of a number of target and incidental catch pelagic species (open ocean) important to Hawaii. In addition to basic and applied scientific research, the PFRP is now expanding into a broad range of socio-economic studies that provide basic information on the conduct of commercial and recreational fisheries in Hawaii, their relationship to the broader market structure and society, and economic models of fishery operations. By expanding its scope from basic and applied fisheries research to include socio-economic studies, the PFRP is now positioned to link research results to real-world applications.
Hawaii Seafood Safety and Inspections $669,750
The purpose of the Hawaii Seafood Program is to help the Hawaii fishing and seafood industry become more competitive in the U.S. seafood market and sustain itself by pro-actively addressing current and emerging concerns about the sustainability of the fishery and the safety of its seafood products.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Honolulu Police Department Crime Lab Improvements $893,000
The Honolulu Police Department’s crime lab supports federal, state, and county law enforcement through a full spectrum of forensic analysis techniques, from DNA and fingerprints, to ballistics and chemical analysis. Currently, the lab is overworked, overcrowded, and suffers from a chronic backlog. Federal funding will support additional personnel, equipment acquisition, and the planning and design phase for the renovation of the lab facility.
Comprehensive Methamphetamine Response Program $357,200
This program started with an appropriation of $4 million in FY 2003 to fund on the County of Hawaii (the Big Island) a comprehensive response to the plague of crystal methamphetamine: stepping up enforcement and prosecution, treatment and rehabilitation, and education and prevention to combat the proliferation of the use and distribution of crystal methamphetamine, and the resulting crimes and hardship. Since that time, the program has been spread county to county, and with an appropriation of $6 million in FY 2006, its reach will be statewide. Although the initiative continues to support the Big Island, its County Council is assuming responsibility for funding the programs started with federal funding. Until the counties are all ready to maintain their programs, continued federal support is critical.
Hawaii Rural Youth Outreach Program $357,200
The rural communities of Hawaii have large numbers of at-risk youth and high crime rates. The per capita income in these rural communities is low, and educational levels are also low—the percentage of adults with college degrees is as low as one-third the state average. These communities are affected by residential instability, ethnic diversity, and family disruption—three factors that are strongly associated with higher crime rates among youth in rural areas. These rural communities lack youth programs and the infrastructure to support youth outreach activities, and this funding would go to the YMCA of Honolulu to work in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii to provide these critical services. The YMCA will cover rural Oahu, and the Boys & Girls Club will cover the neighbor islands.
SCIENCE AGENCIES
Imiloa Astronomy Center $1,339,500
The Imiloa Astronomy Center will be a premier interpretive center for the world's finest and largest collection of operational astronomical observatories whose telescopes are located atop Mauna Kea. The funding request would both develop educational materials and programs, and also provide seed funding for essential staff as a first step toward realizing a sustainable business model.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Hawaii-New Mexico Sustainable Energy Security Partnership $2,000,000
This appropriation will be used to increase electricity reliability and critical infrastructure protection for the nation’s benefit.
Polymeric Hydrogels for Decontamination of Radiation Sills
and Environmental Remediation $1,500,000
Project goals: develop an effective, low-cost countermeasure which will rapidly restore access to operations and minimize radioactive material contamination; develop an effective first-line medical response for treatment of traumatic injuries due to radiological-related incidents and containment of post-injury medical waste; develop polymer gel products for the remediation of mold contamination of buildings.
Renewable Energy Development Venture $1,250,000
This appropriation will be used for the evaluation, testing and/or demonstration of potential renewable energy resources in Hawaii.
Development of High-Yield Tropical Feedstocks $500,000
This initiative is for the development of high-yield tropical feedstocks for bioenergy. As the most geographically isolated part of the United States, Hawaii is particularly vulnerable to energy storages. This project would lessen Hawaii’s dependence on fossil fuels.
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Kawainui Marsh Environmental Restoration Project $4,034,000
Kawainui Marsh is the largest remaining wetland in Hawaii. It has been identified in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ Hawaiian Waterbirds Recovery Plan as the primary habitat for the endangered Hawaiian Stilt, Hawaiian Moorehen, Hawaiian Duck, and Hawaiian Coot. The project will provide an improved habitat area within the marsh.
Hawaii Water Management Project $1,958,000
The funding continues construction of water systems in drought-plagued areas of the state.
Port Allen Harbor Breakwater Repair $1,309,000
The Port Allen Harbor breakwater on Kauai was built in 1948 to protect a 1,200-foot wide by 1,500-foot long harbor basin. As a result of damage caused by Hurricanes Iwa and Iniki in 1982 and 1992, respectively, and heavy storms in 1989, it is now a 1,126-foot mound of rubble. As a result, the breakwater’s root section is in need of repair resulting from years of damaging waves. Without appropriated funds, the breakwater will continue to deteriorate, placing vessels and port facilities at risk from adverse wave conditions.
Hurricane Evacuation Studies – U.S. Islands $984,000
This appropriation will be used to continue hurricane evacuation studies in the U.S. Pacific and the Caribbean islands.
Pacific Island Land Ocean Typhoon Experiment $738,000
This project is to continue data collection in Hawaii and Guam that will lead to deeper understandings of wave run-up over island reef environments.
Surge and Wave Island Modeling Studies $738,000
This project continues the development of the next generation of island storm surge models in conjunction with the University of Hawaii and other universities.
Ala Wai Canal Project $689,000
Funding will continue the expanded scope of the project’s feasibility study to include the Manoa, Palolo, and Makiki streams in addition to ecosystem improvement projects. The Manoa Stream flooding in 2004, which caused more than $100 million in damages to Manoa residences and the University of Hawaii, highlighted the need to mitigate future flooding events.
Wailupe Stream and Flood Damage Reduction Project $344,000
The funds will be used to complete preconstruction engineering and design investigations, and initiate plans and specifications.
Project Condition Surveys $337,000
The funds will be used for management of the dredging program, and inspection of 25 navigation projects; to conduct hydrographic condition surveys at nine harbors; and to provide review survey information.
Iao Stream Flood Control $295,000
This project is to correct a deficient levee system in Wailuku that has existed since 1981 when high flows undermined the levees. If not corrected, flood flows could inundate adjacent housing and commercial areas.
Kahuku Watershed Project $256,000
The Kahuku area has historically been subject to flooding and drainage problems. The project is focused on flood control improvements to Ohia Stream and Hospital Ditch.
Kahoolawe Small Boat Harbor Feasibility Study $244,000
Waianae Small Boat Harbor $206,000
Considerable shoaling at the head of the breakwater and within the entrance channel of the harbor has created a hazardous condition by reducing the size of the entrance channel and causing boaters difficulties in maneuvering through the channel. Dredging of the channel will eliminate the hazards. The Waianae Small Boat Harbor is the busiest serving trailer boats in the state, and it generates more than $2 million annually through commercial diving and tourism activities.
Nawiliwili Deep Draft Harbor Modifications $193,000
This initiative will continue project investigations that include technical modeling of the harbor to refine design alternatives. Nawiliwili is Kauai’s main commercial harbor, and its S-shaped harbor entrance can present a safety problem during high seas and swells.
Planning Assistance for Hawaii $69,000
Operations and Maintenance
Southeast Oahu Regional Sediment Management $492,000
Inspection of Completed Works $305,000
Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor $206,000
Barbers Point Harbor $204,000
ALSO:
General Investigations – Preconstruction Engineering and Design Phase
Maalea Harbor $148,000
General Investigations – Reconnaissance Phase
West Maui Watershed $295,000
This watershed covers the West Maui mountains area, encompassing all West Maui drainages from Hahakea to Waihee. It has been identified by the State of Hawaii for special conservation and preservation activities due to existing near-pristine forestlands and offshore coral reefs.
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
Hawaii Reclaim and Reuse Study $492,,000
Water is one of Hawaii’s most crucial issues. The appropriation will be used to continue activities initiated in 2004.
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES
Replacement of USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center $4,545,000
This project is to replace the existing USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center/Headquarters with two separate facilities. The replacement Visitor Center complex will be a single story multi-structure facility of approximately 23,600 square feet. It will provide space for all essential visitor services, a museum, two theaters, bookstore, a classroom, and security. A mix of exterior and interior spaces in the new Visitor Center will be used to reduce air-conditioned space and long-term costs. Support space for the National Park Service and the Arizona Memorial Museum Association staff will be minimal with their main offices and storage in a separate Headquarters facility. The Headquarters facility will be approximately 10,700 square feet and will accommodate all support functions and curatorial storage.
Expansion of James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge $4,000,000
The acquisition of additional lands would restore historical wetland habitat and form the largest managed freshwater wetland on Oahu. It would connect the two existing units and create a protected flyway between them to provide essential habitat for both the four endangered waterbird species and migratory waterbirds. Protecting this coastal dune ecosystem would preserve native strand plants and protect coastal wildlife, such as threatened sea turtles, seabirds, migratory shorebirds, and possibly even the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. With these additional lands, support facilities could be constructed in order to sponsor environmental education and interpretation programs, visitor services, and habitat management programs. Additionally bringing these lands under a conservation regime would allow for better development of flood plain control, minimizing damaging floods to neighboring, populated areas.
Brown Tree Snake Control $2,673,000
The requested funding for this program will support the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Transportation, and the Interior, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Territory of Guam, and the State of Hawaii. Funds will be used to: Evaluate and improve brown tree snake control products including toxicants, repellants, fumigants, sterilants, attractants, artificial baits, and aerial delivery of control products; increase and improve methods of detection, monitoring and control through rapid response plans, canine teams, controlling pathways, barrier installation, and trapping amongst others; create and maintain areas to protect endangered species and other wildlife from the brown tree snake; and prevent the introduction of a new brown tree snake prey species (coqui frog) to Guam (this invasive frog species was introduced to Hawaii in recent years via imported nursery plants).
Kealakekua Ranch $1,989,000
The Kealakekua Ranch project is a 9,000-acre easement acquisition on an 11,814-acre property on the western slope of Mauna Loa in South Kona on the Big Island. The property contains many different forest types, including mixed open forest, closed ohia lehua rainforest, open koa forest with mamane, and open koa forest. This forest mosaic supports a wide variety of federally listed threatened and endangered plant and animal species. This is the first phase of a two-phase transaction.
Fencing for the Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge $900,000
The Kona Forest of the Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge is within the last known occupied habitat of the alala. Although the federal Fish and Wildlife Service and State of Hawaii are looking at several potential reintroduction states for alala when sufficient birds are available for release from captivity, it is highly likely that the Kona Forest will be a suitable release site when its habitat has been restored through the construction of fencing through this appropriation. This will complete the fence building in Hakalau.
Experimental Tropical Forest $685,000
The Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest will be established this year. Two experimental Forest Units located on the Big Island are among the largest and most biologically diverse experimental forests in the world. The vision for the Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest is to provide a research, demonstration, and educational forest focusing on ecological, economical, and cultural values important to all Hawaiians. The appropriation will be used for the planning and implementation of infrastructure needs.
Hawaiian Culture and the Arts Program $500,000
This program’s efforts are focused on assisting Hawaiians to be practitioners of their culture in a rapidly changing multicultural world. Four priorities support these efforts: increase access to resources, provide opportunities to learn and practice, provide opportunities to celebrate the culture, and create partnerships to enhance the program’s efforts. The four priorities are achieved through a network of Cultural Learning Centers linked electronically to a Resource Center at the Bishop Museum.
Improved Stream Modeling and Well Monitoring $500,000
Since 1993, the U.S. Geological Survey has carried out an exploratory drilling program in Hawaii. During this period, approximately 30 monitoring wells across the state have been drilled. These wells have permitted a more detailed assessment of water resources in many areas. The data collected have been used to revise fundamental concepts regarding the movement of ground water in volcanic areas, and to help clarify issues relating to the effects of groundwater development on the preservation of stream flow and the protection of Native Hawaiian cultural practices. The wells have also allowed the counties to address the increasingly stringent federal regulation of water purveyors be defining groundwater-surface water relations and developing a regional understanding of groundwater sources in relation to potential contamination sources.
Aid to the State of Hawaii for Invasive Species $350,000
With this funding, the Fish and Wildlife Services could increase its ability to deal with invasive species within the state by providing federal matching funds for new state invasive species initiatives through the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, providing funding to continue support of collaborative, interagency, and community-based initiatives to control invasive species on a county level, and by providing funding for high priority projects that address the control of specific established or incipient invasive species in Hawaii, such as miconia.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Maui Community College
Remote Rural Hawaii Job Training Project $2,299,120
This initiative supports job training and community development on all neighbor islands and rural Oahu.
Training and Education Opportunities $957,967
This appropriation supports job training and education programs through the Samoan/Asian Pacific Job Training program.
Alu Like Digitization of Hawaiian Newspapers $95,305
Alu Like will establish an archival collection for recording, cataloguing, and digitalization of Hawaiian newspapers, allowing them to be used in educational programs that assist Native Hawaiian students.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Regional Biocontainment Laboratory $25,000,000
These funds are for the construction of a regional biodefense laboratory. The laboratory will play a key role in homeland security. Hawaii is the logical site for this Pacific-based lab because of its geopolitical location and because of Pearl Harbor’s symbolic value of American resilience and determination. Also, in recent years several global public health emergencies caused by epidemic pathogens, such as pandemic flu, have originated in the Asia-Pacific region; this underscores the importance of strengthening disease detection and response in the Pacific Basin, making Hawaii the logical site for this laboratory.
Emergency Medical Services for Children $19,454,000
This appropriation would continue funding for a nationwide program created by Senator Inouye two decades ago, when he was concerned that children were being treated like “little adults” when their needs were different. This program supports demonstration grants for the delivery of emergency medical services to acutely ill and seriously injured children.
Native Hawaiian Health Care (Papa Ola Lokahi) $13,951,926
These funds enable Papa Ola Lokahi/Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems to continue their efforts to improve the health of Native Hawaiians by making available primary care, health education, and disease prevention services. This initiative also supports the Native Hawaiian Health Professionals Scholarship Program, which strives to increase the number of Native Hawaiians in health care professions. This health care program was established in 1988 under the Native Hawaiian Healthcare Improvement Act.
Hansen’s Disease Treatment $1,961,000
The initiative provides continuing support, including medical care and treatment, for people suffering from Hansen’s disease in hospitals and clinics at Kalaupapa and Honolulu.
Telehealth and Community Outreach $957,967
The bulk of this appropriation will go to the Hawaii Primary Care Association to develop and support a telehealth network among community health centers across the state. The appropriation also includes grants of $49,127 to: Bay Clinic Community Health Center, Hilo; Kalihi-Palama Community Health Center; Koolauloa Community Health and Wellness Center; Kuakini Hospital; Molokai Native Hawaiian Health Center; Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific; and the Waianae Coast Community Health Center.
Maui Community Health Center Expansion $766,373
These funds will be used to provide continued support for the expansion of the Maui Community Health Center, which serves people who are uninsured or underinsured.
University of Hawaii School of Law Health Policy Center $191,593
This appropriation is for the creation of a center on health policy at the UH Law School.
Childhood Rural Asthma Project $118,886
Community health centers in Hawaii will use these funds to aid children in rural areas who suffer from asthma.
Big Island Health Center Youth Anti-Drug Program $95,305
These funds will be used to continue anti-drug initiatives throughout the Big Island. Services include school-based outreach and counseling, and treatment.
Hilo Medical Center Robotics Training Lab $95,305
Lanai Women’s Initiative $95,305
The Maui Economic Development Board will use this appropriation to establish a health center that serves the needs of women and families on the rural island of Lanai, where there are major gaps in health and education services.
Straub Hospital Burn Center $95,305
The Straub Hospital Burn Center is the only primary and tertiary burn treatment center for Hawaii, Alaska, and the Pacific regions. It provides care for burn patients of all ages.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Impact Aid $46,000,000
Hawaii’s Impact Aid funding is part of a larger amount recommended by the Congress for Impact Aid programs nationwide. Impact Aid provides support to school districts with students who are dependents of members of the armed forces and federal government employees.
Native Hawaiian Education $33,315,000
This initiative supports curriculum development, teacher training and recruitment programs, and the renovation of public schools with a high percentage of Native Hawaiian
Native Alaskan and Native Hawaiian Higher Education $5,789,500
Hawaii and Alaska evenly split $11,579,000. Hawaii’s share will support vocational education by providing Native Hawaiians with secondary and vocational training to enter, compete, and advance in the workplace.
Bishop Museum
Education Through Cultural
and Historical Organizations (ECHO) $1,459,057
These funds support the Bishop Museum’s cultural and educational programs involving community partners throughout Hawaii, including Imiloa Center and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. The appropriation also supports internships and exchanges between with Alaska and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.
Maui Economic Development Board
High Technology Training $454,911
Rural Computer Utilization Training $286,899
Girls into Science Program $238,755
These appropriations aim to increase the number of women and minorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math through statewide initiatives. The computer-related initiative addresses the unique barriers that rural communities face in accessing technology education and training.
University of Hawaii at Hilo $766,373
This appropriation will establish a clinical pharmacy training program and an applied rural science program. The funds will cover the start-up costs for the creation of a pharmacy education program to serve Hawaii and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific region.
Kauai Economic Development Board
Math and Science Education $286,899
This appropriation will be used to strengthen the science, technology, engineering, and math training and career opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Henry Kuualoha Giugni Archives, University of Hawaii $191,593
This appropriation will enhance cultural education because the Giugni Archives will aid the development of curricula and instructional materials that are based on archives of oral histories that shed light on Native Hawaiian history and culture.
Polynesian Voyaging Society $143,449
This initiative supports cultural education programs geared toward enhancing leadership skills and cultural knowledge through deep-sea voyaging.
INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES
Filipino Community Center, Waipahu $238,755
This appropriation is for cultural education.
Bishop Museum Library Services $95,305
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
Army
Fort Shafter
Barracks Complex $31,000,000
Schofield Barracks
Barracks Complex $45,000,000
Barracks Complex $43,000,000
Wheeler Army Airfield
Barracks Complex $51,000,000
Navy
Kaneohe Bay
Bachelor Enlisted Quarters $37,961,000
Pearl Harbor
Submarine Drive-In
Magnetic Silencing Facility $49,860,000
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard
Drydock Ship Support Services $30,200,000
Wahiawa
Communications Center $65,410,000
Air Force
Hickam Air Force Base
DCGS Intelligence Squadron OPS Facility $16,500,000
C-17 Parking Ramp $15,471,000
Defense-Wide
Hickam AFB
Replacement of Hydrant Fuels System $11,900,000
Kunia
Regional Security Operation Center III $136,318,000
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
East-West Center $19,342,050
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project $15,190,000
This appropriation will fund the preliminary engineering phases of initial facility and transit system design, in addition to the refinement of capital cost estimates, as required by the Federal Transit Administration.
Hawaii Ferry Funds $7,500,000
This is Hawaii’s share of an allocation that is equally divided between Hawaii and Alaska for capital investments in ferry infrastructure or vessels, and will support Oahu’s renewed interest in a ferry system from West Oahu to Honolulu.
H-1 Improvements Kinau and Lusitana On-Ramps $3,822,000
These funds will be used to complete this project, which provides safe freeway access to and from downtown Honolulu.
Rural Bus Program $1,528,800
These funds will be used by Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai counties to purchase buses to expand routes and increase the frequency of service throughout the neighbor islands. The funds may also be used to provide bus shelters, transit benches, and upgrades to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Alien Species Action Plan $1,225,000
This appropriation will be used to continue the implementation of the federal Alien Species Action Plan governing the State of Hawaii and air carriers serving Hawaii to prevent the introduction of alien species through aircraft that fly to Hawaii. Under this initiative, aircraft and cargo must be inspected and cleared of alien species upon arrival. Maui’s Kahului Airport is the only airport in the nation subject to these rigorous inspection requirements.
Federal Land Improvements $1,146,600
Federal property within Hawaii includes several extensive wildlife refuge and national parks located on four islands. These parks encompass rugged volcanic terrain, wetlands, tropical forests, coastline, and historical fishponds used in Native Hawaiian aquaculture. This appropriation will enable access to and within designated federal properties for proper park service maintenance and security.
Kapolei Interchange $980,000
Public Transportation Vehicle Enhancement Project $392,000
Honolulu Bus and Paratransit Replacement Project $196,000
This initiative is for the purchase of new vehicles, and the conversion to cleaner fuels.
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grants, Hawaii $9,000,000
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is working to increase the affordable housing inventory on Hawaiian homelands to meet the demand for housing for low-income Native Hawaiian families. DHHL is seeking to enhance the supply of affordable housing units through the construction of infrastructure improvements, single-family, multi-family, rent-to-own, and rental housing.
Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Program $1,500,000
This appropriation is half of the $3 million provided through the HUD Community Development Fund to support both Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions in their efforts to address community development needs in their localities, including neighborhood revitalization, housing, and economic development, principally for persons of low or moderate income.
Native Hawaiian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund Program $1,044,000
These funds in credit subsidy will support the loan-guarantee authority of $41,504,255. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) intends to utilize the loan program as an institutional borrower to construct houses for purchase by low-income borrowers by way of direct loans from DHHL.
Arc of Hilo Client Support Services Facility $262,640
This appropriation will be used to build a client support service facility in Hilo to expand services for disabled people, develop a community choir and music program, create a Special Olympics training program, provide a wheelchair-accessible swimming pool, develop low-income housing, and expand after-school youth services.
Keehi Adult Supportive Services Center Project $229,320
These funds will be used to complete construction of a center that will be used as a health center and daycare facility. The center will primarily be used to provide low- and moderate-income elderly men and women with instruction on computer use, aerobics, cooking, gardening, music, dance, nutrition, medication, personal hygiene, and health screening.
Kunia Village Housing Repair and Renovation $229,320
Catholic Charities Hawaii Social Service
Community Center Renovation $196,000
This appropriation will be used to renovate a Catholic Charities Hawaii social service community center.
Easter Seals Hawaii Kapolei Service Center $196,000
This appropriation will help complete the construction of a program service center in Kapolei. The center will have activity rooms, classrooms, and physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy rooms to serve 500 youths and adults with autism, cerebral palsy, Down’s Syndrome, and other disabilities.
Goodwill Ohana Career and Learning Center, Kapolei $196,000
Leeward Oahu has a large population of chronically underserved communities, including Native Hawaiians and non-native speakers. Leeward residents seeking job training currently must take a three-hour bus ride to access training programs in urban Honolulu. The Center in Kapolei will assist 1,600 individuals in acquiring English language, resume-writing, and interview skills.
Gregory House Programs $196,000
The appropriation supports the work of Gregory House Programs, a Honolulu-based nonprofit agency, which provides temporary shelter and support services, including job training, for homeless people coping with AIDS/HIV.
Hawaii Nature Center
Makiki Valley Watershed Education Center $196,000
This appropriation will be used to design, develop, and construct an interactive exhibit center that would create community awareness on preserving the watershed that feeds into the Ala Wai Canal.
Kipahulu Kitchen Construction Project $196,000
The remote Kipahulu area of east Maui is mainly inhabited by Native Hawaiian families that have lived in the area for generations. The community engages in small-scale organic agriculture, ranching, hunting, and fishing. However, the community is challenged by poverty and substance abuse. This project will permit the community to process products such as poi, sugar cane juice, bananas, and fish, and support job and income generation, and skill development.
Momilani Community Center Adult Day Health
and Child Care Facility $196,000
These funds will be used to construct an adult day health center in Pearl City that will provide social, cultural, educational, and recreational activities to help the elderly remain active and productive. Hawaii’s aging population is expected to increase exponentially in the next decade.
National Tropical Botanical Garden Research Center $196,000
Funds will be used to construct a botanical research center, which will be used to assist economically disadvantaged families living on west Kauai by training both youths and adults in horticulture and natural resource management. Through skilled and gainful employment, the cycle of poverty will be broken.
- 30 -
