Isles may get
$113 million for
relief programs

A congressional panel has approved
a bill in the wake of Sept. 11

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By Treena Shapiro
tshapiro@starbulletin.com

Hawaii would receive more than $113 million for social and educational programs in a bill before the U.S. Congress.

The House-Senate Conference Committee approved a bill Wednesday that would enhance learning programs, support workers and improve health care in Hawaii.

"The conferees, well aware of our nation's many urgent spending needs, worked hard to ensure that funds were appropriated for programs that will assist people directly and immediately affected by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11," said Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, a committee member.

More than $19.3 million would be appropriated for labor initiatives.

The projects approved are:

EDUCATION

>> Impact Aid: $39.52 million to provide support to school districts with students who are children of members of the armed services and federal government employees.

>> Native Hawaiian Education: $30.5 million to develop curricula for students of all levels, train and recruit teachers and support education councils statewide.

>> $3.25 million for Title III, Strengthening Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions: $3.25 million to provide grant funding for colleges and universities to improve their academic quality.

>> Bishop Museum, Education and Cultural Initiative: $1 million to support cultural and educational programs involving community partners in Hawaii, as well as internships and exchanges.

>> The Pacific Islands Center for Educational Development: $400,000 for a new training and educational program aimed at encouraging Samoan and other Pacific Island students to pursue higher education.

>> Globalization Network Program: $300,000 to support the joint Globalization Network Program of the University of Hawaii-Manoa, the University of South Florida, Georgetown University and the University of California-Los Angeles.

>> New Trade Winds Initiative: $700,000 to enable the incorporation of interactive technologies and develop strategies to help youths strengthen their knowledge of their regional heritage.

LABOR

>> Kuhio Park Terrace Community Resource Center: $1.7 million to complete the center.

>> Rural Development Project/Rural Job Training Initiative: $10 million to assist rural communities on all neighbor islands with job training, education, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.

>> Samoan and Asian Pacific Islander Job Training Project: $3.5 million to support outreach programs in the Samoan and Pacific Island communities.

>> Bishop Museum Training Initiative: $800,000 to train native Hawaiian youths to become cultural tour guides and museum operations assistants, as well as provide scholarships to increase the pool of native Hawaiian anthropologists.

>> Women in High Technology Initiative: $1.5 million to increase the number of women in high-tech fields by providing job training assistance, education and apprenticeship opportunities.

>> Native Hawaiian Vocational Education: $3.5 million to prepare native Hawaiians for the technological workplace.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

>> Molokai Telehealth Initiative: $250,000 to fund and develop telehealth programs at Molokai General Hospital and Na Puuwai.

>> Molokai General Hospital Construction: $1 million to begin construction to accommodate growing and changing health care needs.

>> Primary Care Association of Hawaii: $200,000 to support the system in telehealth and data sharing between clinics throughout the state.

>> Clinical Pharmacy Training Program: $350,000 to develop a pharmacy program at UH-Hilo.

>> Native Hawaiian Health Care (Papa Ola Lokahi): $7 million to make primary care, health education and disease prevention available to native Hawaiians.

>> Childhood Rural Asthma Project: $500,000 to support innovative health education and/or telehealth programs.

>> Youth Anti-Drug Program: $1.25 million to support the Big Island's fight against drugs through prevention and education programs and rehabilitation targeted at adolescents.

>> Children and Adolescent Health Programs in Hana, Maui: $1 million to continue the development and execution of programs used to provide primary, prenatal, nutrition and mental health care services.

>> Administration in Aging Grants to Native Hawaiian Organizations: $3 million to provide services for the native Hawaiian elderly population.

>> State of Hawaii, Hansen's Disease Treatment: $2 million for continued support for people suffering from Hansen's disease.