When President Obama signed the fiscal year 2009 omnibus domestic appropriations bill into law last week, he remarked, "I recognize that Congress has the power of the purse, and as a former senator, I believe that individual members of Congress understand their districts best. They should have the ability to respond to the needs of their communities."

That has been my longstanding position. Like Obama, I believe that earmarks, or congressionally directed funding initiatives, can serve each state and the nation well when done properly.

Critics contend that simply because an appropriation is not a part of an administration's proposed budget, it is wasteful. But our island state —with its unique culture and fragile ecosystem — has special needs, and it is my responsibility to respond to those needs. Otherwise, there would be no need for members of the Congress, as we would simply be a rubber stamp for the White House, which would have the exclusive authority to determine which programs are important and necessary.

For years, earmark opponents railed against the funding I secured to prevent brown tree snakes from entering Hawai'i and causing the sort of damage they have caused in Guam. Yet now they are silent on this matter. Is it because brown tree snake interdiction is now becoming a part of the administration's budget that it now has a validity that it previously lacked? The critical nature of the program has never changed.

Earmark critics have also attacked the East-West Center, a nationally and internationally recognized education and research organization respected for its ability to strengthen relations and understanding among the people and nations of the Pacific Rim. Earmark funding for the center is one example of how Congress, acting in accordance with the Constitution and in a proper exercise of its responsibilities, works to improve relations between the United States and other Pacific Rim nations. Here, too, the administration has begun to request funds, acknowledging this wise investment.

During the debate on the omnibus bill, two Native Hawaiian-related earmarks were singled out for criticism despite their contributions to the improvement and understanding of our island culture and our quality of life. One of the earmarks is for $238,000 to use the Hokule'a and the Hawai'iloa voyaging canoes for deep-sea voyages to support cultural and education programs geared toward enhancing the leadership and scientific knowledge of students, particularly Native Hawaiians.

I have spoken to Native Hawaiian students in this program, and they have told me they are proud to have learned that their ancestors were great voyagers, great warriors and great leaders. The program also made science more relevant for them, and taught them self-reliance and interdependence so they may chart a positive future.

Similarly, the $2 million for the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center links Hawaiian culture and science education. In this case, Mauna Kea astronomy. The ancient Hawaiians studied the stars, and used the stars to guide them on their voyages. Now, an increasing number of teachers and students are learning about the interconnection between the two, and how it encourages students to pursue careers in astronomy.

While the defense appropriations bill was not part of the omnibus, which consolidated the nine domestic funding acts, it also illustrates the value of earmarks. Breast cancer research in the defense bill began as an earmark sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa. More than 50 other senators are co-sponsors. The National Institutes of Health recently declared that the finest research on breast cancer is sponsored by this program.

The unmanned, surveillance Predator aircraft system began as an earmark. It would never have made it off the drawing board without earmarks. Today, the Predator is deployed to numerous theaters. It has saved countless lives, both military and civilian, through its ability to target terrorists without putting American lives at risk. As a result of the Senate defense appropriations subcommittee's willingness to be open to new ideas and to take calculated risks, the Predator is a valuable asset at our disposal.

The Hawai'i projects I support provide for better opportunities for Hawai'i residents, whether it involves improving the economic, social, cultural, or environmental quality of life of Hawai'i. I am proud of them.

Earmarks are an effective tool in serving local, state and national needs. However, I am also well aware that taxpayers need to be confident that their hard-earned tax dollars are being used wisely and responsibly. That is why my House counterpart, Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, and I agreed earlier this year that, starting with the fiscal year 2010 appropriations bills, members will be required to post their earmark requests on their official Web sites to explain the rationale behind their requests and why they are a valuable use of taxpayer funds. This move builds on the reforms instituted after Democrats assumed the majority in 2007 to ensure greater transparency and accountability, and on our agreement to limit members' earmarks.

I remain committed to our continuing effort to reform the way lawmakers do the people's business, and I look forward to working with President Obama on this. Used properly, earmarks are a valuable tool to ensure that members of Congress are able to address pressing local issues that would otherwise be overlooked by Washington. One size doesn't fit all, especially for a small and distant state like our beloved Hawai'i.

Reach Daniel K. Inouye at (Unknown address).

Daniel K. Inouye is Hawai'i's senior U.S. senator and chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate defense appropriations subcommittee. He wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.