The Federal Transit Administration has approved more than $46 million in grants for bus transportation for Honolulu and ferry infrastructure at the small boat harbors in Maui County.

"I am pleased with the release of these funds. These important projects will help improve public transportation throughout our state," U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawai'i, said in a press release yesterday.

A total of nearly $31.6 million was approved for bus projects throughout O'ahu.

The money is earmarked for projects including the Wai'anae Coast Community Transit Center; the Middle Street Intermodal Center, which supports the city's Handi-Van program and bus transit system; and kiss-and-ride facilities and park-and-ride facilities.

A project to improve the ferry infrastructure at the Maui County small boat harbors will be paid for by another grant totaling nearly $14.7 million.

The improvements to small boat harbors at Manele on Lana'i, Lahaina on Maui and Kaunakakai on Moloka'i will include new bathroom facilities, waste disposal systems, comfort stations and paved parking lots.