WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced today that the Senate Committee on Appropriations approved funding for important job training and community development initiatives for Hawaii, including $2.5 million for the Lanai Project which will continue to expand and provide training, education, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities, as announced last week by Vice President Gore, to improve the economic and social health and welfare of Lanai, and the rural communities on the Neighbor Islands. The Congress recognized that limited access to human development services has contributed to the increase in negative health and social indicators, such as high rates of poverty, unemployment, school dropouts, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and mental illness. Senator Inouye introduced this pilot program in Fiscal Year 1997, and is very pleased that many of the solutions are being found right in the communities.

The Committee recommended $5,000,000 for a comprehensive community resource center to be utilized by American Samoans and Pacific Islanders at Kuhio Park Terrace (KPT) in Honolulu. The center will replicate a traditional Polynesian structure and provide a place for American Samoans and Pacific Islanders to meet, share and practice their cultural traditions. In addition, the center will have a recreational component to provide a safe location and constructive activities for KPT residents who are under the age of 18. The center will also be open to community based economic development initiatives, such as an open marketplace.

The Committee also approved $1,000,000 for a new High Technology Training initiative on the Island of Maui, with a focus on women, to improve their representation in the computer networking and telecommunications fields, and to develop a training and curriculum model for meeting the rising need for workers in these emerging industries. The State of Hawaii shall administer the program in partnership with the Maui Economic Development Board and Maui Community College.

In addition, the Committee approved $3,000,000 for the American Samoan/Asian Pacific Job Training Program in Hawaii.

The Fiscal Year 1999 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill will now go to the full Senate for consideration. It will then face a joint House-Senate Conference and final House and Senate votes before its transmittal to the White House.