$367 million budgeted
for isle military

Hawaii stands to receive nearly $367 million in military spending for the next fiscal year, with $60 million going to the Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island.

The Senate Appropriation Committee unanimously approved the money Thursday in the Military Construction Appropriations Bill, according to Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii.

The bill now goes before the full Senate.

Last year, Congress approved $367 million for defense spending in Hawaii.

"Given Hawaii's strategic location, these projects strengthen our nation's defensive posture into the Pacific, and help to support our military personnel during their time of service," Inouye said.

Among the larger appropriations in the defense spending bill are $66 million for family housing at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, $48 million for the first phase of the new barracks at Schofield Barracks and $41 million to upgrade a road at Helemano Military Reservation.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, announced the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency has awarded a $48 million contract to develop missile defense technology to Trex Enterprises on Kauai and the Maui Research Center.