Congress boosts Hawai'i drug war, marine programs

By Susan Roth
Advertiser Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — The nation may be focused on the war on terrorism, but Hawai'i's war on drugs is getting help with approval of a $5 million helicopter for the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The agency will use the new twin-engine aircraft to provide day and night support for police surveillance, searches and raids in Hawai'i.

Congress approved the money last week as part of the $41.6 billion fiscal 2002 spending bill for the departments of Commerce, Justice and State. The measure also includes $14 million for the East-West Center and about $30 million for marine projects, according to Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawai'i.

Included is $6 million to refurbish a ship to support research and monitoring needs of the National Ocean Service in sanctuary waters around the Hawaiian Islands and $4.2 million to rehab another vessel for fisheries research.

Hawai'i also will get $15.6 million for agricultural projects. The Pacific Basin Agriculture Resource Center at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo received $3 million for construction and $600,000 for research on industry needs and new technologies.

Other projects include:

• $2.5 million for the Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, to continue research on tuna and swordfish.

• $3 million for site preparation and construction of a new National Marine and Fisheries Service laboratory in Honolulu.

• $3 million for sea turtle research to reduce netting of turtles by fishermen.

• $1.6 million for the Oceanic Institute to continue its study of tropical aquaculture feeds and nutrition.

• $1.5 million for teaching and research at colleges that serve Native Hawaiians.