Hawai‘i lawmaker secures nearly $400M in earmarked federal funds for state nonprofits and projects

Nearly $400 million in federal funding is earmarked for Hawai‘i nonprofits and projects, including on the Garden Isle.

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured $394 million in new congressional-directed spending, also known as earmarks, in the first half of this year’s government funding bill. Additional earmark funding for Hawai‘i is expected to be included the second half of the funding deal which is set to be announced on March 22.

“These earmarks will give local nonprofits and projects more resources to serve communities across Hawai‘i,” Schatz said.

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Schatz worked with congressional leaders to ensure Hawai‘i received its fair share of federal earmark funding.

For the full list of funded projects, click here.

Kaua‘i specific projects included:

• Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (Maui, Kaua‘i) – $2.5 million. This funding would support mosquito suppression through the Birds, Not Mosquitos project including production and release of mosquitoes on Maui and Kaua‘i.

• National Tropical Botanical Garden (Kaua‘i) – $344,000. This funding would support the fern propagation lab to collect, grow, and outplant endangered ferns, and allow for facility improvements.

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Kaua‘i) – $500,000. Support modifications to the Waimea levee structure that would strengthen it to withstand increasing risks from extreme weather. (Sen. Brian Schatz and Sen. Mazie Hirono joint request)

• Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative – $1.3 million. This funding would support refurbishment of a steam turbine generator into a low-energy synchronous condenser to facilitate grid integration of renewable energy, improve system safety, and reduce overall energy costs.

• State of Hawai‘i (Kaua‘i) – $3.2 million. This funding will support design and construction of a roadway, sidewalks, and bike lanes for Kukui Street and Olohena Road. (Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono, and Rep. Jill Tokuda joint request)

• State of Hawai‘i (Kaua‘i)– $900,000. This project will construct an educational center at the Kawai‘ele State Waterbird Sanctuary. (Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono, and Rep. Jill Tokuda joint request)

• Kaua‘i County Housing Agency – $1.6 million. Funding will support engineering and design of infrastructure to enable Kīlauea Affordable Housing Subdivision. (Sen. Brian Schatz and Sen. Mazie Hirono joint request)

• Kaua‘i County Housing Agency – $1.4 million. The funding will support engineering and construction documents for the Waimea 400 affordable housing subdivision. (Sen. Brian Schatz and Sen. Mazie Hirono joint request)

• Kaua‘i County Housing Agency – $1.8 million. The funding will support engineering and construction documents for a new wastewater treatment plant. (Sen. Brian Schatz and Sen. Mazie Hirono joint request)

• County of Kaua‘i – $3.3 million. This project supports the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall. (Sen. Brian Schatz and Sen. Mazie Hirono joint request)