WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced that the Senate approved $25 million to continue clean-up efforts on the Island of Kahoolawe, and $105.4 million for Hawaii defense research initiatives. These projects are included in the Fiscal Year 1999 Department of Defense Appropriations bill.

"Notwithstanding our federal budgetary constraints, I am very pleased that $25 million was provided to continue the Navy's mission to clean up the Island of Kaho'olawe. The efforts of the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission, the Navy, and the Contractor must continue expeditiously and in earnest to ensure that we begin the actual clean-up in the months ahead," stated Senator Inouye.

"I am also pleased to report that my colleagues in the Senate included $105.4 million for Hawaii defense research initiatives of interest to our nation's military and of importance to our state's economy," continued Inouye.

Senator Inouye secured funding for the following programs of interest to Hawaii:

Akamai	$28,000,000
To continue Tripler Medical Center's leadership in telemedicine and teleradiology, including $10,000,000 to support the Pacific Medical Network, $4 million to continue research of dual mode hyperspectral fluorescence imaging, and $2 million for remote access to medical specialists.
Multi-Purpose Processor	$15,000,000
Continue sonar upgrades for Navy submarines to improve acoustic signal processing technology
Littoral Airborne Sensor/Hyperspectral (LASH) Technology	$12,000,000
To continue funding for a CINCPACFLT initiative to equip patrol aircraft with imaging equipment
SLICE Trailer	$10,000,000
To build a SLICE trailer as a follow-up technology to the -- successful SWATH ship development. This trailer has dual uses for the military and as a model for a high speed ferry.
Agricultural Development and Environmental Quality Technology	$9,400,000
$5,400,000 shall be used to continue on-going efforts with the Hawaii Small Business Development Center to be administered as in previous years. The existing program focuses on developing agricultural-industrial products of interest to defense and civilian consumers. Additionally, $4,000,000 is provided for an Agricultural-based Bioremediation project to demonstrate the efficacy and cost effectiveness of agriculturally based bioremediation to restore contaminated military and civilian sites in fragile and geographically isolated Pacific island ecosystems.
Pacific Disaster Center	$8,000,000
Continued funding for operations and development
Center of Excellence for Research in Ocean Sciences	$7,000,000
The Center of Excellence for Research in Ocean Sciences (CEROS) was created to foster technology development and commercial use of ocean and marine research in Hawaii.
Center of Excellence in Disaster Management	$5,000,000
Located at Tripler Army Medical Center, and in partnership with the Pacific Command and the University of Hawaii, the Center's mission is to provide education, training and research in civil-military operations, particularly operations that require international disaster management, humanitarian assistance and interagency coordination, and to make available high-quality disaster management and humanitarian assistance training to aid in disaster response.
War Fighting Lab	$5,000,000
For the Marine Corps to conduct an evaluation of the broad-area unmanned retail and resupply operation using Navy research assets in Hawaii.
Superconducting Engine Technology	$2,000,000
When developed, this engine is expected to be tested using high speed vessels in Hawaii.
Brown Tree Snake Control	$1,000,000
Continue eradication and interdiction efforts involving military transports from the Island of Guam.

In addition, the Senate adopted an amendment to appropriate $12 million for Electric Vehicle Technology. In the past, the Hawaii Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project received between $1-3 million from this program to develop new electric vehicle related technologies.

Further, the Senate included an amendment offered by Senator Inouye authorizing space available travel on military aircraft for veterans residing in America Samoa to receive medical care in Hawaii.

These initiatives will now face a joint House-Senate Conference and final House and Senate votes before its transmittal to the White House.