$241 million dealt Hawaii stands to gain at least $241.5 million in two defense bills passed by the House this week, with a large share of the new military construction designed for Schofield Barracks and several other local bases.
to state’s military
2 bills passed by the U.S. House
allot most funds for constructionBy Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.comU.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie said the House's version of the 2003 $10 billion military construction projects bill includes nearly $228 million for Hawaii projects.
Among those projects is $91 million to renovate barracks at Quad C and on Capron Avenue at Schofield Barracks.
Of the 37 barracks at Schofield, 50 percent were built before 1922. Their average age is 58 years. Most of them at one time were open bays where soldiers housed together in bunk beds with community latrines.
The renovation is part of the $750 million Whole Barracks Renewal project at Schofield, initiated several years ago. More than 4,300 barracks space for single enlisted soldiers under the rank of sergeant will be upgraded or constructed.
The new barracks look like high-rise apartment complexes, standing five stories and air-conditioned. The rooms are wired for cable television and individual phone service. Each bedroom comes with a walk-in closet. Two soldiers share one bathroom.
A common area is equipped with a sink, refrigerator and microwave. There are more than 80 commercial-size washers and dryers available in a separate laundry room.
The Army housing projects, along with a dozen others, are also included in the Senate's version of the construction bill, which cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday but has not been sent to the floor for a vote.
"Adequate housing and facilities for our servicemen and women continues to remain one of my top defense priorities," U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye said. "Thousands of military personnel work and live at installations in Hawaii. Proper barracks, homes, training grounds, administrative buildings and base infrastructure are necessary for them to fulfill their mission of protecting and defending America."
Both the House and Senate bills include funds to replace housing at Kaneohe Bay and Hickam Air Force Base. These include $24.7 million for 66 family housing units at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and $29 million to replace 96 Hickam units.
The Hawaii Army National Guard will receive nearly $25 million to continue upgrading its facilities at Kalaeloa, or Barbers Point, where it has consolidated most of its units and functions.
In the House's version of the $355 billion military appropriations bill, Abercrombie said, there are four projects for Hawaii totaling nearly $14.8 million for technology projects.
The House appropriations bill, the first of 13 spending measures to advance in Congress this year, allocates $2.1 million to continue the marine mammal research program at Kaneohe that seeks to address public concerns on the effects on marine mammals of low-frequency sonar used by the Navy in its sub-hunting programs, Abercrombie said.
In the Senate a total of $249.8 million for Hawaii has been authorized, Inouye said. The House has appropriated $241.5 million, according to Abercrombie.
Other military construction projects proposed for Hawaii in the House bill include:
>> $23.4 million for testing facilities at Pacific Missile Range Facility at Kauai's Barking Sands.
>> $13 million to fund Phase 1 of the Saddle Road access at the Big Island's Pohakuloa Training Area.
>> $10.5 million to renovate wharfs at Pearl Harbor Naval Station.
>> $9.5 million for a Marine chapel at Kaneohe Bay.
>> $2.7 million to build a clinic at Hickam Air Force Base.