Daniel Kahikina Akaka, U.S. Senator of Hawaii: Press Releases

RELEASED BY THE OFFICE OF SEN. INOUYE:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka announced today that the Fiscal Year 2008 omnibus appropriations bill - which both chambers of Congress passed earlier this week and which is expected to be signed into law soon by the President - includes nearly $845 million for vital Hawaii-related initiatives.

More than half of the total - nearly $534 million - are for military construction projects, Senators Inouye and Akaka said.

The bill also sets aside $25 million for a Pacific region biodefense laboratory in Hawaii, more than $15 million for the Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project, nearly $4.6 million to replace the slowly sinking USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center, and $4 million for the expansion of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on Oahu, the veteran lawmakers noted.

"All of the funded projects will improve the quality of life in Hawaii and preserve our precious and unique ecosystems. The projects are important investments for a better future for Hawaii and its people," said Senator Inouye, a longtime member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "I am especially pleased that this legislation provides more than $68 million for programs that directly benefit Native Hawaiians, and address their healthcare, educational, housing, and job training needs."

"This bill," Senator Akaka said, "provides essential funding for the state of Hawaii that will increase access to educational opportunities, healthcare services, economic development opportunities, and transportation. It will help strengthen organizations in Hawaii that provide essential healthcare, housing, and education services. This legislation also supports efforts in Hawaii to promote sustainable agricultural production and improve our island infrastructure to address our unique security and economic needs."

Senator Akaka, Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, added: "Nationally, this important legislation shows our veterans that they are a priority for this country, and they deserve the additional $3.7 billion above the President's budget request. This measure also includes much needed funding to improve our military infrastructure."

The omnibus funding legislation brings together 11 of the 12 regular appropriations bills. The Department of Defense appropriations measure was shepherded through the Senate earlier this year by Senator Inouye, who chairs the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. It was signed into law on November 13, 2007.

The following are the Hawaii-related initiatives in the omnibus funding bill:

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

U.S. Pacific Basin Agriculture Research Center (PBARC)

Construction $1,750,000

Research Funds $2,403,000

Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture Research $3,580,500

This funding will be used to continue agriculture research programs that are applicable to growers in tropical and subtropical regions. The program specializes in methods to prevent and control invasive alien species, with the ultimate goal of lowering quarantine requirements. This goal is a priority for Pacific and Caribbean farmers because quarantine is one of their most significant trade barriers.

Agriculture Pre-clearance Quarantine Inspections $2,079,000

This appropriation funds a program, authorized by an amendment introduced by Senator Inouye to the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, that relieves the State of Hawaii of the cost of agriculture inspections at Neighbor Island airports. Those inspections are federally mandated, and would otherwise cost the State approximately $3 million annually.

Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions $1,609,000

This funding is part of a $3,218,000 appropriation for the Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions grant program. The purpose of this program is to strengthen educational activities, including applied research and community development projects, at universities and colleges with students of Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian ancestry. In the past, grants awarded to eligible Hawaii institutions focused on activities that lead to the development of value-added agricultural products, overseas markets, and Native Hawaiian-owned production and marketing businesses.

Tropical Aquaculture Research $1,542,000

The Oceanic Institute will use these funds to continue its Tropical Aquaculture Research program, which focuses on feeds, nutrition, and the global competitiveness of the domestic aquaculture industry.

Wildlife Services and Brown Tree Snake Management $1,135,000

These funds will be used to continue the operation of a State Wildlife Services Office in Hawaii, which provides on-site coordination of activities to control pests and diseases in Hawaii and the American Pacific, including efforts to control the brown tree snake and the coqui frog.

Hawaii Agriculture Research Center (HARC)

Diversified Agriculture Research $677,000

HARC focuses on improving the efficiency of sugarcane production, developing new products from sugarcane, and supporting the expansion of diversified agriculture in Hawaii. HARC's ongoing projects include completing the genetic fingerprinting for coffee, pineapple, macadamia nuts, and papaya; identifying the genes responsible for fungal resistance in papaya; and supporting a sugarcane breeding program.

Agriculture Development and Resource Conservation $643,000

Funds would be used to continue this successful statewide agricultural development and resource conservation program. The program was initiated on Molokai and has been used to support agriculture development in the Molokai Hawaiian homestead community. It includes intensive training sessions to instill in new entrepreneurs the skills necessary for establishing and sustaining new agriculture-related businesses. This amount would be divided between the Counties of Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii.

Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations $538,000

This appropriation will be used on the following watershed projects: Lower Hamakua Ditch Watershed ($207,000), Upcountry Maui Watershed ($207,000), and Wailuku-Alenaio ($124,000).

Papaya Ringspot and Pineapple Nematode $536,000

This appropriation will be used to monitor and refine control of the papaya ringspot virus, and to expand the techniques and knowledge obtained from this program to other diseases and pests. It will also be used to genetically engineer nematode and virus resistance in Hawaii's best varieties of pineapples.

Agriculture Development in the American Pacific $375,000

This program addresses common Pacific island-based agriculture and community issues through cooperative research, extension, and instruction programs that are culturally appropriate, socially acceptable, economically viable, and environmentally compatible. The program's objective is to help Pacific region residents live healthier and more productive lives by further developing their agricultural skills and knowledge.

Floriculture Industry $261,000

These funds will be used to support industry-directed research projects to develop new varieties of tropical flowers with unique appearances, that are disease resistant,

and have longer shelf lives. These characteristics are critical to the floriculture industry's ability to remain competitive in the global marketplace.

Minor Crop Pest Control $239,000

The funds will be used by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to develop environmentally compatible methods to control pests and diseases in tropical and subtropical agricultural systems.

Nontoxic Fruit Fly Control $211,000

These funds will continue the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources' collaborative work on developing effective and nontoxic methods to control Tephritid fruit flies and to expand efforts to control and eradicate multiple pests that limit the exporting of Hawaii produce.

Rodent Control $173,000

The National Wildlife Research Center, Hilo Field Station, will use these funds to

support efforts to control rodents in agricultural areas.

Fruit Fly Rearing Facility $150,000

This earmark would be used for the planning and design of a multi-species fruit fly breeding facility in Waimanalo. Fruit fly rearing is crucial to any long-term control strategy imperative for a thriving agricultural industry.

Subterranean Termites $139,000

Termites continue to be the most economically destructive insect pests in Hawaii and the American Pacific. These funds will be used to continue research to understand termite biology and ecology in Hawaii, develop environmentally friendly control methods that stop termites from destroying structures, and prevent new termite infestations from spreading throughout the Pacific.

Hawaii Plant Materials Center $114,000

These funds will enable the Hawaii Plant Materials Center to expand its seed production, continue seed production training in the community, and increase seed deliveries to the Island of Kahoolawe. The Center propagates native plants with the dual objective of supporting the federal cleanup and re-vegetation of Kahoolawe, and establishing economically competitive native plant nurseries. The Center's achievements include developing a 20-acre nursery on Molokai.

Women in Technology $75,000

This is a technical assistance and workforce training project designed to assist small businesses on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai in the recruitment of women and minorities, groups that are under represented in technology-related careers.

Molokai Agriculture Development $72,000

This program features training, business coaching, and cost-share assistance to new agricultural enterprises that engage in sustainable agricultural development in this predominantly Native Hawaiian community.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NOAA Pacific Regional Facility $20,000,000

This request will fund the next construction phase of a regional facility for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Ford Island in Honolulu's Pearl Harbor. Collocation of Hawaii's NOAA programs at a single facility will effectively catalyze their integration. The quirk of Hawaii's island geography has made it impossible for the agency's workforce to ignore one another's presence because they are all physically present on Oahu. Going one step further and bringing the pieces together under a single roof will spur the transformation and lead to a united whole with a grasp far beyond the shores of Hawaii-out to the remote islands that would otherwise never have access to the breadth and depth of NOAA products we enjoy in the United States.

Support for NWHI Commercial Fishermen $6,697,500

On June 15, 2006, President Bush signed Presidential Proclamation 8031 creating the largest fully protected marine conservation area on the planet in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. By applying the authority of the Antiquities Act, he created the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument. As part of this Monument designation, commercial fishing in the Monument will be phased out over the next five years, and all commercial lobster fishing prohibited. The requested funding would be provided to the permit holders to compensate for future lost revenue due to the federal closure of their fishing grounds

NOAA Integrated Data and Environmental Applications Center $2,455,750

These funds are necessary to ensure the NOAA IDEA Center can continue to advance NOAA's mission objectives to help meet critical regional needs for ocean, climate and ecosystem information to protect lives and property, support economic development, and enhance the resilience of Pacific Island communities in the face of changing environmental conditions. The IDEA Center supports regional and global observing systems and programs and develops new, integrated data products and environmental applications for the region.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale

National Marine Sanctuary Learning Center $1,786,000

These funds will be used to complete the construction of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS) Learning Center on Maui.

International Pacific Research Center $1,786,000

These funds will support the University of Hawaii's International Pacific Research Center (IPRC). Funding for IPRC is based upon priority needs developed in consultation with NOAA, and is consistent with the goals of the climate change program and the National Climatic Data Center set by NOAA leadership. As one of the only institutions conducting systematic and reliable climatographic research over the entire Pacific region, the data produced by IPRC will be indispensable in furthering our understanding climate change.

Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research $1,116,250

The Pelagic Fisheries Research Program (PFRP) conducted by the Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research is a wide-ranging primary and applied research program funded by a grant to the Joint Institute on Marine and Atmospheric Research. It supports the study of basic life history and biology of a number of target and incidental catch pelagic species (open ocean) important to Hawaii. In addition to basic and applied scientific research, the PFRP is now expanding into a broad range of socio-economic studies that provide basic information on the conduct of commercial and recreational fisheries in Hawaii, their relationship to the broader market structure and society, and economic models of fishery operations. By expanding its scope from basic and applied fisheries research to include socio-economic studies, the PFRP is now positioned to link research results to real-world applications.

Hawaii Seafood Safety and Inspections $669,750

The purpose of the Hawaii Seafood Program is to help the Hawaii fishing and seafood industry become more competitive in the U.S. seafood market and sustain itself by pro-actively addressing current and emerging concerns about the sustainability of the fishery and the safety of its seafood products.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Honolulu Police Department Crime Lab Improvements $893,000

The Honolulu Police Department's crime lab supports federal, state, and county law enforcement through a full spectrum of forensic analysis techniques, from DNA and fingerprints, to ballistics and chemical analysis. Currently, the lab is overworked, overcrowded, and suffers from a chronic backlog. Federal funding will support additional personnel, equipment acquisition, and the planning and design phase for the renovation of the lab facility.

Comprehensive Methamphetamine Response Program $357,200

This program started with an appropriation of $4 million in FY 2003 to fund on the County of Hawaii (the Big Island) a comprehensive response to the plague of crystal methamphetamine: stepping up enforcement and prosecution, treatment and rehabilitation, and education and prevention to combat the proliferation of the use and distribution of crystal methamphetamine, and the resulting crimes and hardship. Since that time, the program has been spread county to county, and with an appropriation of $6 million in FY 2006, its reach will be statewide. Although the initiative continues to support the Big Island, its County Council is assuming responsibility for funding the programs started with federal funding. Until the counties are all ready to maintain their programs, continued federal support is critical.

Hawaii Rural Youth Outreach Program $357,200

The rural communities of Hawaii have large numbers of at-risk youth and high crime rates. The per capita income in these rural communities is low, and educational levels are also low-the percentage of adults with college degrees is as low as one-third the state average. These communities are affected by residential instability, ethnic diversity, and family disruption-three factors that are strongly associated with higher crime rates among youth in rural areas. These rural communities lack youth programs and the infrastructure to support youth outreach activities, and this funding would go to the YMCA of Honolulu to work in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii to provide these critical services. The YMCA will cover rural Oahu, and the Boys & Girls Club will cover the neighbor islands.

SCIENCE AGENCIES

Imiloa Astronomy Center $1,339,500

The Imiloa Astronomy Center will be a premier interpretive center for the world's finest and largest collection of operational astronomical observatories whose telescopes are located atop Mauna Kea. The funding request would both develop educational materials and programs, and also provide seed funding for essential staff as a first step toward realizing a sustainable business model.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Hawaii-New Mexico Sustainable Energy Security Partnership $2,000,000

This appropriation will be used to increase electricity reliability and critical infrastructure protection for the nation's benefit.

Polymeric Hydrogels for Decontamination of Radiation Sills

and Environmental Remediation $1,500,000

Project goals: develop an effective, low-cost countermeasure which will rapidly restore access to operations and minimize radioactive material contamination; develop an effective first-line medical response for treatment of traumatic injuries due to radiological-related incidents and containment of post-injury medical waste; develop polymer gel products for the remediation of mold contamination of buildings.

Renewable Energy Development Venture $1,250,000

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 $500,000

This initiative is for 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 storages. This project would lessen Hawaii's dependence on fossil fuels.

ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

Kawainui Marsh Environmental Restoration Project $4,034,000

Kawainui Marsh is the largest remaining wetland in Hawaii. It has been identified in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services' Hawaiian Waterbirds Recovery Plan as the primary habitat for the endangered Hawaiian Stilt, Hawaiian Moorehen, Hawaiian Duck, and Hawaiian Coot. The project will provide an improved habitat area within the marsh.

Hawaii Water Management Project $1,958,000

The funding continues construction of water systems in drought-plagued areas of the state.

Port Allen Harbor Breakwater Repair $1,309,000

The Port Allen Harbor breakwater on Kauai was built in 1948 to protect a 1,200-foot wide by 1,500-foot long harbor basin. As a result of damage caused by Hurricanes Iwa and Iniki in 1982 and 1992, respectively, and heavy storms in 1989, it is now a 1,126-foot mound of rubble. As a result, the breakwater's root section is in need of repair resulting from years of damaging waves. Without appropriated funds, the breakwater will continue to deteriorate, placing vessels and port facilities at risk from adverse wave conditions.

Hurricane Evacuation Studies - U.S. Islands $984,000

This appropriation will be used to continue hurricane evacuation studies in the U.S. Pacific and the Caribbean islands.

Pacific Island Land Ocean Typhoon Experiment $738,000

This project is to continue data collection in Hawaii and Guam that will lead to deeper understandings of wave run-up over island reef environments.

Surge and Wave Island Modeling Studies $738,000

This project continues the development of the next generation of island storm surge models in conjunction with the University of Hawaii and other universities.

Ala Wai Canal Project $689,000

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 events.

Wailupe Stream and Flood Damage Reduction Project $344,000

The funds will be used to complete preconstruction engineering and design investigations, and initiate plans and specifications.

Project Condition Surveys $337,000

The funds will be used for management of the dredging program, and inspection of 25 navigation projects; to conduct hydrographic condition surveys at nine harbors; and to provide review survey information.

Iao Stream Flood Control $295,000

This project is to correct a deficient levee system in Wailuku that has existed since 1981 when high flows undermined the levees. If not corrected, flood flows could inundate adjacent housing and commercial areas.

Kahuku Watershed Project $256,000

The Kahuku area has historically been subject to flooding and drainage problems. The project is focused on flood control improvements to Ohia Stream and Hospital Ditch.

Kahoolawe Small Boat Harbor Feasibility Study $244,000

Waianae Small Boat Harbor $206,000

Considerable shoaling at the head of the breakwater and within the entrance channel of the harbor has created a hazardous condition by reducing the size of the entrance channel and causing boaters difficulties in maneuvering through the channel. Dredging of the channel will eliminate the hazards. The Waianae Small Boat Harbor is the busiest serving trailer boats in the state, and it generates more than $2 million annually through commercial diving and tourism activities.

Nawiliwili Deep Draft Harbor Modifications $193,000

This initiative will continue project investigations that include technical modeling of the harbor to refine design alternatives. Nawiliwili is Kauai's main commercial harbor, and its S-shaped harbor entrance can present a safety problem during high seas and swells.

Planning Assistance for Hawaii $69,000

Operations and Maintenance

Southeast Oahu Regional Sediment Management $492,000

Inspection of Completed Works $305,000

Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor $206,000

Barbers Point Harbor $204,000

ALSO:

General Investigations - Preconstruction Engineering and Design Phase

Maalea Harbor $148,000

General Investigations - Reconnaissance Phase

West Maui Watershed $295,000

This watershed covers the West Maui mountains area, encompassing all West Maui drainages from Hahakea to Waihee. It has been identified by the State of Hawaii for special conservation and preservation activities due to existing near-pristine forestlands and offshore coral reefs.

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION

Hawaii Reclaim and Reuse Study $492,,000

Water is one of Hawaii's most crucial issues. The appropriation will be used to continue activities initiated in 2004.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES

Replacement of USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center $4,545,000

This project is to replace the existing USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center/Headquarters with two separate facilities. The replacement Visitor Center complex will be a single story multi-structure facility of approximately 23,600 square feet. It will provide space for all essential visitor services, a museum, two theaters, bookstore, a classroom, and security. A mix of exterior and interior spaces in the new Visitor Center will be used to reduce air-conditioned space and long-term costs. Support space for the National Park Service and the Arizona Memorial Museum Association staff will be minimal with their main offices and storage in a separate Headquarters facility. The Headquarters facility will be approximately 10,700 square feet and will accommodate all support functions and curatorial storage.

Expansion of James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge $4,000,000

The acquisition of additional lands would restore historical wetland habitat and form the largest managed freshwater wetland on Oahu. It would connect the two existing units and create a protected flyway between them to provide essential habitat for both the four endangered waterbird species and migratory waterbirds. Protecting this coastal dune ecosystem would preserve native strand plants and protect coastal wildlife, such as threatened sea turtles, seabirds, migratory shorebirds, and possibly even the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. With these additional lands, support facilities could be constructed in order to sponsor environmental education and interpretation programs, visitor services, and habitat management programs. Additionally bringing these lands under a conservation regime would allow for better development of flood plain control, minimizing damaging floods to neighboring, populated areas.

Brown Tree Snake Control $2,673,000

The requested funding for this program will support the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Transportation, and the Interior, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Territory of Guam, and the State of Hawaii. Funds will be used to: Evaluate and improve brown tree snake control products including toxicants, repellants, fumigants, sterilants, attractants, artificial baits, and aerial delivery of control products; increase and improve methods of detection, monitoring and control through rapid response plans, canine teams, controlling pathways, barrier installation, and trapping amongst others; create and maintain areas to protect endangered species and other wildlife from the brown tree snake; and prevent the introduction of a new brown tree snake prey species (coqui frog) to Guam (this invasive frog species was introduced to Hawaii in recent years via imported nursery plants).

Kealakekua Ranch $1,989,000

The Kealakekua Ranch project is a 9,000-acre easement acquisition on an 11,814-acre property on the western slope of Mauna Loa in South Kona on the Big Island. The property contains many different forest types, including mixed open forest, closed ohia lehua rainforest, open koa forest with mamane, and open koa forest. This forest mosaic supports a wide variety of federally listed threatened and endangered plant and animal species. This is the first phase of a two-phase transaction.

Fencing for the Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge $900,000

The Kona Forest of the Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge is within the last known occupied habitat of the alala. Although the federal Fish and Wildlife Service and State of Hawaii are looking at several potential reintroduction states for alala when sufficient birds are available for release from captivity, it is highly likely that the Kona Forest will be a suitable release site when its habitat has been restored through the construction of fencing through this appropriation. This will complete the fence building in Hakalau.

Experimental Tropical Forest $685,000

The Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest will be established this year. Two experimental Forest Units located on the Big Island are among the largest and most biologically diverse experimental forests in the world. The vision for the Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest is to provide a research, demonstration, and educational forest focusing on ecological, economical, and cultural values important to all Hawaiians. The appropriation will be used for the planning and implementation of infrastructure needs.

Hawaiian Culture and the Arts Program $500,000

This program's efforts are focused on assisting Hawaiians to be practitioners of their culture in a rapidly changing multicultural world. Four priorities support these efforts: increase access to resources, provide opportunities to learn and practice, provide opportunities to celebrate the culture, and create partnerships to enhance the program's efforts. The four priorities are achieved through a network of Cultural Learning Centers linked electronically to a Resource Center at the Bishop Museum.

Improved Stream Modeling and Well Monitoring $500,000

Since 1993, the U.S. Geological Survey has carried out an exploratory drilling program in Hawaii. During this period, approximately 30 monitoring wells across the state have been drilled. These wells have permitted a more detailed assessment of water resources in many areas. The data collected have been used to revise fundamental concepts regarding the movement of ground water in volcanic areas, and to help clarify issues relating to the effects of groundwater development on the preservation of stream flow and the protection of Native Hawaiian cultural practices. The wells have also allowed the counties to address the increasingly stringent federal regulation of water purveyors be defining groundwater-surface water relations and developing a regional understanding of groundwater sources in relation to potential contamination sources.

Aid to the State of Hawaii for Invasive Species $350,000

With this funding, the Fish and Wildlife Services could increase its ability to deal with invasive species within the state by providing federal matching funds for new state invasive species initiatives through the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, providing funding to continue support of collaborative, interagency, and community-based initiatives to control invasive species on a county level, and by providing funding for high priority projects that address the control of specific established or incipient invasive species in Hawaii, such as miconia.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Maui Community College

Remote Rural Hawaii Job Training Project $2,299,120

This initiative supports job training and community development on all neighbor islands and rural Oahu.

Training and Education Opportunities $957,967

This appropriation supports job training and education programs through the Samoan/Asian Pacific Job Training program.

Alu Like Digitization of Hawaiian Newspapers

Daniel Kahikina Akaka, U.S. Senator for Hawaii

Inouye and Akaka say Omnibus Funding Bill Provides $845 Million for Hawaii-Related Projects

December 20, 2007