A U.S. House and Senate conference committee has approved more than $683 million for Hawaii-based defense initiatives. Conferees OK $683 million
for isle military
Associated Press
The initiatives include a host of research and development projects to enhance the military's technological capabilities, Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, said yesterday in a news release issued by his Washington office.
"I cannot overstate the importance of these defense programs to national security," said Inouye, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which drafted the Senate version of the legislation.
The largest single appropriation for the Hawaii-based initiatives is $75 million to continue the cleanup of the former military target island of Kahoolawe.
The funds are included in the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, which now faces final House and Senate votes before being sent to President Bush.
