WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced that the Senate Committee on Appropriations included additional funding for Ship Depot Maintenance in an effort to begin to address Navy shortfalls which have reduced private sector ship maintenance requirements in Hawaii. In addition, $3.5 million was included for a new Pearl Harbor apprenticeship program.

"I am committed to ensuring a balance between the public and private sector work requirements at Pearl Harbor. To do so, we must address the funding shortfalls, as well as a reduced overall fleet. We must look for new partnerships and ways of doing business. This may include making the private shipyards a part of this new apprenticeship program," said Senator Inouye.

The Committee also provided increases in excess of $500 million for real property and base operations support nationwide. Of this total, Hawaii will receive its fair share to minimize funding shortfalls for all military services, in particular the U.S. Army, which could otherwise lead to large scale civilian workforce reductions in Hawaii.

Other Inouye's initiatives include:

Hawaii National Guard

Operations and Support Program	$15,000,000
Mobile radar approach control which is expected to be located at Barbers Point.	$8,000,000
National Guard Counterdrug Program Operation Green Harvest	$3,000,000
Conservation/Ecosystem Management Program	$3,000,000
For environmental mitigation and remediation in conjunction with Saddle Road on the Big Island.

In addition, the Committee approved $79.6 million for the purchase of two C-20 type aircraft, one to be stationed at Hickam Air Force Base to support local military services. Additionally, $1 million was also included for an off-island leave program for Johnston Atoll workers.

These initiatives will now go to the full Senate for consideration. It will then face a joint House-Senate Conference and final House and Senate vote before its transmittal to the White House.