WASHINGTON — The Senate Appropriations Committee voted unanimously today to approve three funding measures that include nearly $244 million for transportation, housing, energy, water, and technology initiatives that benefit Hawaii, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced.
“I am especially pleased that my appropriations request for the Honolulu mass transit project was fully funded at $20 million, especially at a time when requests for federal resources are highly competitive during this period of difficult budgetary times,” Senator Inouye said. “I am grateful that my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee share my conviction that this initiative is an important project for Honolulu and Oahu.”
The House appropriations bill sets aside $10 million for the Honolulu mass transit project.
Other key Hawaii-related initiatives in the three Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations bills that the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced to the full Senate include the Rural Bus Program ($2 million), the Hawaii-New Mexico Sustainable Energy Security Partnership ($3 million), and surge, hurricane evacuation, and typhoon studies (a combined total of $3.2 million).
“The programs seek to improve all aspects of our quality of life in Hawaii – from aiming to make it easier to move from one destination to another on Oahu, to serving those in rural areas who have limited transportation opportunities, to seeking greener and less expensive energy options, and finding ways to cope with the dangers and destruction that hurricanes and typhoons can bring,” Senator Inouye said.
In some instances, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved national programs that benefit Hawaii, but did not break out a specific dollar amount for the state. The programs include Essential Air Service for rural areas, which, in Hawaii, serves the remote communities of Hana, Kalaupapa, and Kamuela, and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking program, which disrupts illicit drug trafficking in the isles. If past funding is a guide, these two programs will receive a combined total of roughly $5 million to $6 million.
Below are the Hawaii-related initiatives that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved today.
From the Fiscal Year 2009 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill:
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration Formula Funds $143,485,622
Federal Transit Administration Formula Funds $35,070,500
These funds are used to support and maintain the City and County of Honolulu’s bus system, including the purchase of replacement buses and Handi-vans, and the construction of transit centers.
Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project $20,000,000
The appropriation will fund the continuing preliminary engineering phases of initial facility and transit system design, in addition to the refinement of capital cost estimates, as required by the Federal Transit Administration.
H-1 Improvements Kinau and Lusitana On-Ramps $5,000,000
This project, which provides safe freeway access to and from downtown Honolulu.
Rural Bus Program $2,000,000
These funds will be used by Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai counties to purchase buses to expand routes and increase the frequency of service throughout the neighbor islands. The funds may also be used to provide bus shelters, transit benches, and upgrades to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Federal Land Improvements $1,000,000
Federal property within Hawaii includes several extensive wildlife refuge and national parks located on four islands. These parks encompass rugged volcanic terrain, wetlands, tropical forests, coastline, and historical fishponds used in Native Hawaiian aquaculture. This appropriation will enable access to and within designated federal properties for proper park service maintenance and security.
Hawaii Ferry Funds $1,000,000
This is Hawaii’s share of an allocation that is equally divided between Hawaii and Alaska for capital investments in ferry infrastructure or vessels, and will support Oahu’s renewed interest in a ferry system from West Oahu to Honolulu.
Essential Air Service
The Essential Air Service Program provides subsidies to air carriers serving the small airports that are vital links to the remote communities of Hana, Kalaupapa, and Kamuela.
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grants, Hawaii $10,000,000
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is working to increase the affordable housing inventory on Hawaiian homelands to meet the demand for housing for low-income Native Hawaiian families. DHHL is seeking to enhance the supply of affordable housing units through the construction of infrastructure improvements, single-family, multi-family, rent-to-own, and rental housing.
Native Hawaiian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund Program $1,044,000
These funds in credit subsidy will support loan-guarantee authority of $41,504,000. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) intends to utilize the loan program as an institutional borrower to construct houses for purchase by low-income borrowers by way of direct loans from DHHL.
Laiopua 2020 Community Center, Kailua-Kona $500,000
These funds will be used for the planning, design, and construction of this project.
Kalihi Valley Homes Rehabilitation Project $400,000
This project is for the renovation of abandoned housing units in Honolulu’s Kalihi Valley to provide 22 homes for low-income families.
Pacific Gateway Center Business Incubator
Capital Improvement Project $300,000
The center will receive the grant. Its clients are immigrants, refugees, and low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs.
From the Fiscal Year 2009 Department of Energy, and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill:
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Hawaii-New Mexico Sustainable Energy Security Partnership $3,000,000
This appropriation will be used to increase electricity reliability and critical infrastructure protection for the nation’s benefit.
Hawaii Renewable Energy Development Venture $2,500,000
This appropriation will be used for the evaluation, testing and/or demonstration of potential renewable energy resources in Hawaii.
Development of High-Yield Tropical Feedstocks $1,500,000
This initiative involves the development of high-yield tropical feedstocks for bioenergy. As the most geographically isolated part of the United States, Hawaii is particularly vulnerable to energy shortages. This project would lessen Hawaii’s dependence on fossil fuels.
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Operations and Maintenance $3,744,000
The projects: Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor ($1,000,000), Waianae Small Boat Harbor ($1,000,000), inspection of completed works ($659,000), Barbers Point Harbor ($548,000), and project condition surveys ($537,000)
Surge and Wave Island Modeling Studies (SWIMS) $1,200,000
This appropriation will continue development of technology to predict hurricane/typhoon waves and inundation in Hawaii, and U.S. Pacific and Caribbean territories. These tools support emergency response planning and real-time operations for state and local emergency managers. Partners in the effort include the University of Hawaii and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These studies will also support efforts to develop wind and wave climatologies for the islands, flood mapping, and engineering research and design tools.
Hurricane Evacuation Studies – U.S. Islands $1,000,000
This appropriation will continue development of an integrated real-time planning and operational system, which will enhance the capabilities of local emergency managers in identifying and managing island populations vulnerable to hurricane/typhoon threats in Hawaii, and U.S. Pacific and Caribbean territories.
Pacific Island Land Ocean Typhoon Studies (PILOT) $1,000,000
This appropriation will continue the collection of storm-induced wave and surge data of coral reefs in Hawaii, and U.S. Pacific and Caribbean territories. This unique data set is vital to understanding the physics of wave/reef interactions and the development of predictive models such as SWIMS. Additional efforts will also define the engineering characteristics of reefs with respect to wave and surge reduction. Partners in this effort are the Hawaii State Civil Defense, University of Hawaii, University of Guam, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA, and the Weather Service.
Sacred Falls Beach Demonstration Project $875,000
This project will lead to the construction of a new 370-foot beach of shoreline to replace the one that has deteriorated and eroded. A combination of low profile, permeable groins, and offshore breakwaters will be built to abate further erosion, and allow sediment to pass through, resulting in a longer-term sustained beach.
Southeast Oahu Regional Sediment Management
Demonstration Project $500,000
The funds will be used for technical investigations. Shoreline erosion threatens upland development and coastal habitat along much of the southeast coast of Oahu. Lanikai has lost most of the dry beach width that historically provided a buffer to the impacts of storm waves, and offered unique recreation opportunities.
Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor Improvements $350,000
Kahuku Watershed Project $344,000
The Kahuku area on Oahu has historically been subject to flooding and drainage problems. The project is focused on flood control improvements to Ohia Stream and Hospital Ditch.
Ala Wai Canal Project $300,000
Funding will continue the expanded scope of the project’s feasibility study to include the Manoa, Palolo, and Makiki streams in addition to ecosystem improvement projects. The Manoa Stream flooding in 2004, which caused more than $100 million in damages to Manoa residences and the University of Hawaii, highlighted the need to mitigate future flooding.
Hydroelectric Power Assessment $300,000
This project will update a 1983 study and assessment by the U.S. Corps of Engineers of the state’s hydroelectric power potential. Hawaii is highly dependent on fossil fuels for energy, and hydroelectric power can be an economical and reliable alternative.
Wailupe Stream Flood Damage Reduction Project $300,000
The funds will be used to continue preconstruction engineering and design investigations, and initiate plans and specifications. Wailupe Stream is eight miles southeast of Honolulu, and its 100-year flood plain encompasses nearly 600 structures in the residential community of Aina Haina. Construction improvements would minimize flood damage to homes.
Maalaea Harbor $200,000
Navigation conditions in the entrance channel and turning basin of this Maui harbor are hazardous. The interior berthing area is vulnerable to surges resulting in damage to boats. The harbor’s berthing capacity of 93 vessels is inadequate.
Hilo Harbor Modifications $100,000
The channel and turning basin of Hilo Harbor are outdated and not designed to accommodate the large vessel sizes required to maximize cargo transportation efficiency to the Big Island. A study will identify and evaluate alternatives for modifying Hilo Harbor.
Kekaha Flood Study $100,000
Kekaha, Kauai, is prone to flooding as was highlighted during storms early this year. The flood study will provide officials with an understanding of the scope of the problem, as well as identifying possible options.
PRIORITY PROJECTS
The following Army Corps of Engineers projects, all part of the Continuing Authorities Program, do not have a specific appropriation. But all have been designated by the Senate Appropriations Committee as priority projects for which federal funds must be released once all Corps requirements are met.
Kahana Pond Wildlife Sanctuary Restoration Project, Maui
Kahoolawe Small Boat Harbor Feasibility Study
Kaunakakai Stream Environmental Restoration
This initiative will restore habitat for the endangered Hawaiian Stilt by creating 2.75 acres of shallow ponds and wetlands within this stream on Molokai.
Keopu and Hienaloli Streams Flood Damage Reduction
This project is critical to the overall implementation of a flood mitigation plan for the growing Kailua-Kona area of the Big Island. Flooding problems within the Keopu and Hienaloli basins are attributed to inadequately defined channels, steep slopes, inadequate channel and culvert capacities, and accumulation of debris and vegetation.
Kuliouou Stream Flood Damage Reduction Modification Project
Modifications are needed because an upstream development has created high and unstable flows entering the stream. During heavy rainfall, the stream’s floodwaters reach very high speeds, and damage the flood control channel, and private and public property.
Mokuhinia/Mokuula Ecosystem Restoration
This project involves the development of tidal wetlands that would provide a habitat for endangered and native waterfowl species at a site that was once home for Hawaiian royalty.
North Kohala Navigational Improvements
This initiative would bring navigational improvements for boat launching facilities to the North Kohala area of the Big Island.
Wailele Stream Improvements
From the Fiscal Year 2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill:
Native Hawaiian Organization Association $300,000
This appropriation will help establish the Honolulu-based Native Hawaiian Organization Association. The Association was recently formed to increase the competitiveness of Native Hawaiian organizations to secure government contracts. It was also formed to ensure transparency in the funds distributed for community benefits as profits are generated by the organizations. The goal of this grant is to establish a networking and mentoring system that provides opportunities for partners and businesses, Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian, to access an additional economic tool to keep more of the federal contract opportunities with Hawaii small businesses. This model is envisioned as helping to break the cycle of poverty.
Oahu Technology and Innovation Park $250,000
Over the past decade, Hawaii has reached “critical mass” in the development of the dual-use technology sector. The goal now is to enhance working synergies, and to move toward self-sustainability. To achieve this goal, the development and construction of an Oahu Technology and Innovation Park is needed. Due to the Honolulu area’s lack of industrial and research lab space, companies are scattered in various areas without any meaningful networking and partnering opportunities. The purpose this grant is to first support this planning effort by bringing disparate parties (federal, state, county government officials, small and large technology companies, and the University of Hawaii) together to discuss the priorities and requirements for such a Park, and to help these parties move through the process from construction to operation.
Hawaii High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
Hawaii’s HIDTA designation was received in 1999, and the Hawaii HIDTA is uniquely situated to significantly disrupt illicit drug trafficking in Hawaii. Because Hawaii’s geographic location links it to Asia, Oceania, and the Pacific, the work conducted in Hawaii is key to preventing new drugs from abroad from gaining at foothold in the United States.
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