WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced that the Senate passed the House-Senate Conference Report to the Fiscal Year 1998 Department of Defense Appropriations bill. The bill contains $35 million to continue efforts to restore the Island of Kaho'olawe.

"Notwithstanding our federal budgetary constraints, I am very pleased that $35 million was provided to continue the Navy's mission to clean up the Island of Kaho'olawe. The Kaho'olawe Conveyance Commission's efforts, together with that of the Navy, are important and must be continued and expedited to the extent possible," stated Senator Inouye.

In 1993, $400 million was authorized and $60 million appropriated for the cleanup of the Island. In 1994, an additional $40 million was appropriated. In 1995, $25 million was appropriated, and $10 million was appropriated last year, for an aggregate total of $135 million to date.

On November 10, 1993, the Congress acted to return the Island of Kaho'olawe to the people of Hawaii. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Senator Inouye guided the measure through the Congress and on to the White House for enactment. It authorized the expenditure of up to $400 million for the Island's cleanup over a 10 year period which ends in 2003, at which time the island is officially returned to the State of Hawaii.

The Fiscal Year 1998 Defense Appropriations bill will now be transmitted to the White House to await President Clinton's signature.