U.S. Senate committee tags nearly $140 million for Hawaii-related initiatives
Advertiser Staff
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee today approved nearly $139.2 million for Hawaii-related labor, health, and education initiatives, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced in a news release issued by his office.
Sixty-eight percent of the total funding — nearly $94.8 million — is appropriated for educational projects, while 44 percent — more than $61.4 million — is designated for eight projects that assist Native Hawaiians in health care and education, Inouye said in the release.
"Native Hawaiians, through their history and culture, have made Hawaii the most unique and welcoming place in the world. But all socioeconomic indicators show that modern-day Hawai'i has not treated its First Citizens well. That is why federal Native Hawaiian programs, particularly in health and education, are so crucial," Inouye said in the release.
Under the appropriations legislation approved today, more than $33.3 million are designated for Native Hawaiian curriculum development, teacher training, and the renovation of public schools with a high percentage of Native Hawaiians, nearly $14 million are awarded to the Papa Ola Lokahi/Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems, $2.9 million are set aside for Native Hawaiian vocation education, and $1.9 million are earmarked to assist elderly Native Hawaiians.
The funding for the Hawaii-related initiatives are part of the Fiscal Year 2009 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill that the Senate Appropriations Committee voted 26 to 3 to approve.
The legislation now advances to the full Senate for consideration.
The following are the Hawaii-related initiatives in the Fiscal Year 2009 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved today:
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Maui Community College
This initiative supports job training and community development on all neighbor islands and rural O'ahu.
This appropriation supports job training and education programs through the Samoan/Asian Pacific Job Training program.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
This appropriation continues funding for a nationwide program created by Senator Inouye two decades ago, when he was concerned that children were being treated like "little adults" when their needs were different. This program supports demonstration grants for the delivery of emergency medical services to acutely ill and seriously injured children.
These funds enable Papa Ola Lokahi/Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems to continue their efforts to improve the health of Native Hawaiians by making available primary care, health education, and disease prevention services. This initiative also supports the Native Hawaiian Health Professionals Scholarship Program, which strives to increase the number of Native Hawaiians in health care professions. This health care program was established in 1988 under the Native Hawaiian Healthcare Improvement Act.
The initiative provides continuing support, including medical care and treatment, for people suffering from Hansen's disease in hospitals and clinics at Kalaupapa and Honolulu.
These funds are awarded to eligible organizations based on their share of Native Hawaiians aged 60 and older. Eligible organizations must provide a broad range of supportive services, including nutrition and general assistance.
The bulk of this appropriation will go to the Hawaii Primary Care Association to develop and support a telehealth network among community health centers across the state. The appropriation also includes grants to: Bishop Museum ($100,000 for arts and wellness projects), Waimanalo Health Center ($100,000), Ko'olauloa Community Health and Wellness Center ($50,000); Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center ($50,000), and West Hawaii Community Health Center ($50,000).
This appropriation is for the creation of a center on health policy at the UH Law School.
These funds will be used to continue anti-drug initiatives throughout the Big Island. Services include school-based outreach and counseling, and treatment.
These funds will be used to provide continued support for the expansion of the Maui Community Health Center, which serves people who are uninsured or underinsured.
Community health centers in Hawai'i will use these funds to aid children in rural areas who suffer from asthma.
The Maui Economic Development Board will use this appropriation to establish a health center that serves the needs of women and families in rural communities, where there are major gaps in health and education services.
The Straub Hospital Burn Center is the only primary and tertiary burn treatment center for Hawaii, Alaska, and the Pacific regions. It provides care for burn patients of all ages.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Hawaii's Impact Aid funding is part of a larger amount recommended by the Congress for Impact Aid programs nationwide. Impact Aid provides support to school districts with students who are dependents of members of the armed forces and federal government employees.
This initiative supports curriculum development, teacher training and recruitment programs, and the renovation of public schools with a high percentage of Native Hawaiians. Grants of $1.5 million each are directed for public-school renovation, and the University of Hawai'i's Native Hawaiian Law School Center of Excellence $1.5 million each.
Hawaii and Alaska evenly split $15 million. Hawaii's share will support vocational education by providing Native Hawaiians with secondary and vocational training to enter, compete, and advance in the workplace.
This appropriation provides competitive grants to organizations primarily serving and representing Native Hawaiians for career and technical education.
Bishop Museum
These funds support the Bishop Museum's cultural and educational programs involving community partners throughout Hawaii, including Imiloa Center and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.
University of Hawaii at Hilo
This appropriation will help to establish a clinical pharmacy training program and an applied rural science program. The funds will cover the start-up costs for the creation of a pharmacy education program to serve Hawaii and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific region.
These funds are for the continued support of UH-Hilo's nursing program.
Maui Economic Development Board
These appropriations aim to increase the number of women and minorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math through statewide initiatives. The computer-related initiative addresses the unique barriers that rural communities face in accessing technology education and training.
Kauai Economic Development Board
This appropriation will be used to strengthen the science, technology, engineering, and math training and career opportunities for underrepresented groups.
This appropriation will enhance cultural education because the Giugni Archives will aid the development of curricula and instructional materials that are based on archives of oral histories that shed light on Native Hawaiian history and culture.
The mission of this community college program is to increase opportunities for college success for Filipinos.
This initiative supports cultural education programs geared toward enhancing leadership skills and cultural knowledge through deep-sea voyaging.
This appropriation is for museum educational outreach programs.
This appropriation is for Native Hawaiian cultural education programs.
