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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:19 p.m., Thursday, July 31, 2008

House OKs $544M for Hawaii military projects

By Dennis Camire
Advertiser Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — The Army's Schofield Barracks would receive $279 million for new buildings, roads, water lines, sewers and other upgrades next year as part of the $544 million in construction spending the House approved today for Hawai'i military bases next year.

The Hawai'i money is part of a $118.7 billion appropriations bill, approved on a vote of 230-186, for military construction, the Veterans Affairs Department and other military health and housing programs next year. The next step is Senate consideration of the bill, which may occur in September when Congress returns from its August recess. "By addressing the military readiness crisis — equipment, manpower, training and facilities — these funds will have a large and direct impact on Hawai'i-based troops and military installations," said U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i, a subcommittee chairman on the House Armed Service Committee. The $279 million for Schofield Barracks includes a brigade complex, two battalion complexes, a barracks and water, sewer, roads and other infrastructure to support additional support units as part of an overall increase in the size of the Army. At Pearl Harbor, the Navy would use $45 million to renovate Building 1337 into a new indoor fitness center including basketball, volleyball, racquetball and handball courts, locker rooms with sauna and a martial arts room. Other projects include:

  • $41.1 million to continue construction of a drive-in magnetic silencing facility at Pearl Harbor to help submarines maintain their stealth.
  • $40 million for a new Army satellite communications operations center in Wahiawa.
  • $29.3 million for child development center at Naval State Pearl Harbor.
  • $28.9 million for a Pacific Missile Range advanced radar detection laboratory.
  • $28.2 million for an enlisted barracks at the Marine Corps base in Kane'ohe Bay.
  • $27.7 million to replace a fuel pipeline at Pearl Harbor.
  • $19.2 million for an Army reserve center at Fort Shafter.
  • $9 million to continue construction of Saddle Road in the Pohakuloa Training Area.
  • $6 million to grade and pave about 2.8 acres for a deployment staging area at Pearl Harbor to be used by the 25th Infantry Division, including the new Stryker Brigade.

    Reach Dennis Camire at dcamire@gns.gannett.com.