Senate Approves $60 Million for Hawaii Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Projects

WASHINGTON, DC – September 18, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senate Appropriations Chairman Daniel K. Inouye announced today that the full Senate approved $60,550,000 million in funding for various transportation, housing and urban development initiatives in Hawaii.

The Honolulu High Capacity Transit Corridor Project will receive $30 million to fund the continuing preliminary engineering phases of initial facility and transit system design, in addition to the refinement of capital costs estimates, as required by the Federal Transit Administration.

“The traffic congestion on Oahu for workday and weekend commuters is untenable, any Oahu driver will attest to that,” said Senator Inouye.  “The federal government will continue to support a shared vision for rail transit, as a majority of Oahu voters approved in November.  Our role is to support whatever plan emerges from collaboration between county, state and private stakeholders.”

“The substantial resources we secured for Honolulu rail will help the project move forward,” said Senator Daniel K. Akaka.  “The bill also contains millions for neighbor island bus systems to improve transportation statewide, and critical funding we need for airline safety, and affordable housing.”

Funds will also enable economic development in our local communities and help to increase the availability of affordable housing throughout the State.

The bill must now face a joint House-Senate Conference and final approval by the Senate and House, before it is transmitted to the White House.  The following initiatives were secured funding below:

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Honolulu High Capacity Transit Corridor Project:  $30,000,000
This appropriation will fund the continuing preliminary engineering phases of initial facility and transit system design, in addition to the refinement of capital costs estimates, as required by the Federal Transit Administration.

Federal Lands Improvement Project:  $4,000,000
Federal property within Hawaii includes several extensive wildlife refuge and national parks located on four islands.  These parks encompass rugged volcanic terrain, wetlands, tropical forests, coastline, and historical fishponds used in Native Hawaiian aquaculture.  This appropriation will enable access to and within designated federal properties for proper park services maintenance and security.

Rural Bus Program:  $3,500,000
These funds will be used by Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai counties to purchase buses to expand routes and increase the frequency of service throughout the neighbor islands.  The funds may also be used to provide bus shelters, transit benches, and upgrades to comply with the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act.

Kapolei Interchange Complex:  $3,000,000
This project will improve Interstate H-1 Freeway access to the city of Kapolei and surrounding employment and residential areas, and alleviate traffic congestion.  The funding will maintain and create additional jobs, as a result of construction and business development in the region.

Alien Species Action Plan Inspection Facility:  $900,000
For the operational and capital costs supporting the Alien Species Action Plan cargo inspection facility in Kahului, Maui, as directed by the Kahului Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision.

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Shelter:  $500,000
For rehabilitation and improvement of emergency shelter and transitional housing facility and long-term rental housing project for low-income residents in Maui.

Maili Self-Help Housing:  $500,000
For the construction of 76 lot subdivision for self-help housing project for low-income families.

Kahale Mua Public Housing on Molokai Improvement Project:  $400,000
For the renovation of housing units to provide 25 refurbished housing units for low-income individuals on Molokai.

Pahala Elderly Housing Rehabilitation Project:  $400,000
For the construction of 24 units of elderly housing in Pahala, just outside of Hilo.

Waipa Kitchen Incubator Project:  $400,000
For construction and equipment purchase for a state-certified commercial kitchen, food mill, and underground oven in Waipa, Kauai, for the low-income and farming communities.

Wahiawa Employment Training and Support Complex:  $300,000
To renovate and expand the Wahiawa Training and Support Complex to double capacity to provide training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities and other low-income individuals.

Kauai County Self-Help Housing Construction Project:  $250,000
For on-site infrastructure improvements to enable the construction of 26 residential homes for low-income households.

Mookini Education Center for Low Income:  $200,000
Youths Construction Project
For the construction and renovation of a cultural education center for low-income youths.

Institute for Human Services Homeless Shelter:  $200,000
Job Training Project
For the construction of a job and skills training center at Hawaii’s oldest and largest emergency homeless shelter communities to use for vocational training and processing of value-added agricultural products to be distributed and sold state-wide.

NATIVE HAWAIIAN PROGRAMS

Native Hawaiian Block Grant Program:  $13,000,000
Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Program:  $3,000,000
Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Housing Loan Guarantee:  $1,000,000

NATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT HAWAII

Essential Air Service:  $125 million
Community Development Block Grant:  $3.9 billion
Housing Assistance Council:  $8 million
Maritime Security Program:  $174 million
Fed-Aid Highway Program Obligation Limitation:  $141 million
McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Program:  $1.8 million
Small Shipyards Grant Program:  $17.5 million
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy:  $74 million