WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced that the Senate approved the House-Senate Conference Report which includes $4.4 million for important Hawaii initiatives, including an additional $1.04 million for the U.S. Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry (IPIF) to continue development of its Hawaii and international forest research programs. Some of these funds will also be used to plan for new office and laboratory facilities for the IPIF in Hawaii. These funds are included in the Fiscal Year 1998 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

"Continued research will lead to enhanced ecological protection, as well as economic returns from Hawaii's forests. Protection of Hawaii's native forests, which house more endangered plant and bird species than any other state, is of paramount importance," stated Senator Inouye.

The House-Senate Conference Report also approved $1 million for the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program. This funding will help the USGS obtain new seismic equipment to continue the monitoring and research activities of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on the Island of Hawaii. This important work will help us to better understand the processes that generate volcanic hazards, and to improve and expand critical monitoring capabilities by using a variety of new techniques and installing more sophisticated sensors.

"The Volcano Hazards Program has demonstrated a record of successful monitoring and hazard mitigation. In Hawaii, the program is monitoring the long-lived eruption of Kilauea Volcano and advising the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the safety of 2.5 million visitors each year, as well as local authorities charged with the protection of surrounding communities," stated Senator Inouye.

$1.2 million was approved to continue the valuable work of the Marine Minerals Research Centers (MMRC), a joint venture project between the University of Hawaii, the University of Mississippi and the University of Alaska. Of the $1.2 million, the University of Hawaii will receive $400,000 to examine deep ocean mineral resources, provide training in all facets of marine resources development, and link academia and industry for underwater technology development and environmental protection and remediation. The MMRC is the only government sponsored university research program in the United States that addresses sustainable development of seabed minerals.

At the request of Senator Inouye and the Administration, the House-Senate Conference Report included $1 million to purchase 52 acres of private coastal lands in the lower Kipahulu district of Haleakala on the Island of Maui. The lands are highly scenic, contain significant archeological sites, and are integral to the lower Kipahulu district of Haleakala. Lawrence Rockefeller has held these lands for the Haleakala National Park in open space for many years and has offered them to the Park Service at this time for half their appraised value.

"This will enable the Haleakala National Park to preserve the outstanding features of Haleakala crater and protect the unique and fragile ecosystems of Kipahulu Valley, the scenic pools along `Ohe`o Gulch, and many rare and endangered plant and animal species," said Senator Inouye.

In addition, $200,000 was approved to operate and maintain 26 acres recently donated to the National Park Service by the Queen Emma Foundation for addition to the Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site located in North Kohala on the Big Island. Many regard this site of King Kamehameha's great war temple as the most historically significant structure in the State of Hawaii.

The House-Senate Conference Report included $33 million to continue funding American Samoa's government operations, infrastructure and capital improvement projects. $23 million is for the operational needs of the American Samoa Government, and $10 million is for badly needed construction of public works and social service needs.

In addition, $100,000 was approved to operate the newly established American Samoa National Park. One of the newest of the national parks, the American Samoa park includes rainforests and coral reefs on three separate islands, and is home to many native tropical species including: 450 species of plants, flying foxes (fruit bats), 45 species of birds, 200 species of coral and 900 species of fish.

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