Updated at 2:39 p.m., Friday, May 25, 2007
Nearly $38M earmarked for state earthquake recovery
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i will receive nearly $38 million for agricultural disaster and emergency highway relief to help the state recover from an earthquake that shook the islands last year, U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye said in a news release issued today.The funds are part of the emergency supplemental appropriations bill that is now before President Bush to sign into law, following House and Senate approval yesterday.
"The emergency supplemental appropriations bill deserved my support because it benefits Hawai'i," said Inouye, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
"I also voted for this bill because — with congressional supplements — it increases funding levels to ensure that our troops' needs are met and their safety enhanced. The White House's proposal was inadequate in a number of areas for our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Knowing what I know, I could not put at risk the needs of our troops any longer.
"I am, however, disappointed that — because of the opposition of the White House and because of the urgent need to provide the funds in this bill — the Congress was unable to include the goal of having a flexible timetable for reducing our forces in Iraq. Having said that, I believe the Congress will continue to press the point, and will continue to be supported by the American people, in trying to find a way to reduce our involvement in the Iraqi civil war. This must be done.
"This bill adds $1.2 billion to accelerate the production of the MRAP, the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, which is the most protected vehicle from the increasingly dangerous road side bombs. The Congress is taking care of the health of our servicemen and servicewomen by adding a total of $1.9 billion to our military health care programs. That includes initiatives to fix problems at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and also to hire additional staff to treat our wounded military personnel."
HIGHWAY/ROADWAY EMERGENCY REPAIRS
Included in this bill is more than $35.7 million to reimburse the state and county for repairs to highways on the Big Island and Maui that were damaged by the mid-October earthquake. These funds will be used for debris removal, slope, shoulder and road repairs, as well as retaining wall construction. The breakdown is as follows:
Route 11 ( Mamalahoa Highway); Route 19 ( Hawai'i Belt Road), Route 160 (Napo'opo'o Road), Route 180 ( Mamalahoa Highway), Route 190 (Mamalahoa Highway), Route 240 ( Honoka'a-Waipi'o Road), Route 250 ( Kohala Mountain Road), and Route 270 (Akoni Pule Highway).
Route 30 ( Honoapi'ilani Highway).
KOHALA IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPAIRS
Also included is about $2.2 million for the repair of the Kohala Irrigation System on the Big Island, which was damaged by the earthquake of Oct. 15, 2006, and for assistance to farmers and ranchers in the Kohala area who suffered damages.
"I am pleased that my colleagues agreed with me that the damages suffered by farmers, ranchers, related businesses, and residents of the Kohala area were immense and justified federal assistance," Inouye said in the release. "I am hopeful that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will work cooperatively with state and local agencies and with the Kohala community to devise an effective restoration plan. On my part, I will be working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to urge it to implement such a plan and to release funds as soon as possible."
Blocked tunnels and collapsed flumes have reduced water flows from about 10 million gallons per day before the earthquake to about 500,000 gallons per day.
Reduced flows, even when supplemented by interim pumping measures, has severely impacted a large dairy in the area that produced one-third of the milk consumed on the Big Island, and shut down a hydroelectric plant proving electricity for nearly 150 homes. The nearly 15-mile long irrigation system is the only reliable source of surface water serving the windward side of the Big Island's North Kohala District. It serves more than 500 North Kohala families whose livelihoods are tied to farming, ranching, or water-related businesses.
ASSISTING AIRLINES
Also included in the legislation is corrective language that allows Hawaiian Airlines and three other air carriers to be treated more equally as it relates to other airlines in terms of pension payments. Beginning in 2008, Hawaiian Airlines, which did not freeze all of its defined benefit plans when it was in bankruptcy, will have 10 years to pay off unfunded liabilities and also be able to use a lower interest rate to calculate plan contributions. This means Hawaiian Airlines will be able to save millions of dollars as it strengthens its financial posture, while allowing it to meet its pension obligations.
