A federal bipartisan spending deal will increase spending in Hawaii for fiscal year 2016. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, advanced Hawaii priorities during committee consideration this year, which are now reflected in the final deal. Overall, defense spending in Hawaii will increase by more than $200 million, and transportation funding will increase by nearly $10 million.
A federal bipartisan spending deal will increase spending in Hawaii for fiscal year 2016. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, advanced Hawaii priorities during committee consideration this year, which are now reflected in the final deal. Overall, defense spending in Hawaii will increase by more than $200 million, and transportation funding will increase by nearly $10 million.
Military construction in Hawaii is fully funded at $444 million.
Hawaii highway and transportation funding will increase 13 percent by 2020. In addition to $250 million for the Honolulu rail project, Hawaii is receiving annual increases in funding for roads, bridges, buses and bike paths to reduce congestion, make roads safer and communities more walkable.
Other highlights for Hawaii include $16.7 million for the East-West Center; $13.7 million for Native Hawaiian health care; $50.4 million for Native Hawaiian education; $511 million for national parks and monuments; $17.6 million for federal land acquisition and conservation efforts by the Fish and Wildlife Service at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, the National Park Service at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and the U.S. Forest Service at Helemano Wilderness Area; and $14.7 million for the Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program.