The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee included $33.5 million in disaster aid for Kaua'i and parts of Windward O'ahu in an emergency appropriations bill, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye announced in a statement yesterday.

The legislation includes $20 million for repairs to Kuhio Highway and other roads. Kuhio Highway, the main road in and out of Kaua'i's North Shore, was severely undermined when Kaloko dam broke March 14.

An estimated 400 million gallons of water plus hundreds of uprooted trees battered the highway embankment. State transportation officials say it may take until the end of the year to make permanent repairs. The highway is open in both directions.

Also included in the bill was $6 million to assist sugar growers who suffered losses; $3 million to remove debris from the dam break and repair the area irrigation system; and $3 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide technical help.

The bill includes $1 million for disaster aid for farmers, and $500,000 for the U.S. Geological Survey to help assess critical reservoirs and dams on Kaua'i.

Some of the highway and agriculture assistance finds are earmarked for Windward O'ahu, according to the statement.

The measure now goes to the full Senate for consideration.