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

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

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 non-profits 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.

Big Island specific projects included:

• ‘Aha Pūnana Leo – $1 million. The funding will be used to complete infrastructure improvements to Hawaiian language immersion school. This was a joint request by Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Jill Tokuda.

• Island of Hawai‘i YMCA – $625,000. This project would help purchase land to expand the YMCA Community Center’s programming in Hilo. This was a joint request by Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Jill Tokuda.

• YWCA of Hawai‘i Island – $1.5 million. Funding will support construction of a new early childhood education center. This was a joint request by Sen. Brian Schatz and Sen. Mazie Hirono.

• Hawai‘i Island Home for Recovery – $1 million. This project will renovate facilities providing permanent supportive housing and services to people experiencing homelessness.

• Child and Family Service (Hawai‘i Island) – $2 million. This project would contribute to the construction of a walk-in service and resources center for vulnerable families in Hilo. This was a joint request by Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Jill Tokuda.

• County of Hawai‘i – $3.6 million. This funding will support the renovation of Old Hilo Memorial Hospital to continue providing services and housing to homeless individuals.

• County of Hawai‘i Mass Transit Agency – $9.5 million. This funding will support construction of a transit baseyard and maintenance facility in West Hawai‘i.

• Kua O Kanaueue – $488,000. Complete construction of a kitchen facility will enable farmers in the Kaʻū district and the South and North Kona districts to convert their agricultural products into higher-value food products.

• Hawai‘i Land Trust – $1.1 million. The funding will be used to construct fencing to prevent damage from feral pigs at Kukuau Forest. This was a joint request by Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono.

• Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources – $750,000. The funding will be used at Waiākea Pond and Pelekane Bay for invasive species removal and native species plantings along pathways will support habitat restoration. This was a joint request by Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono.

• The Nature Conservancy Hawai‘i (Maui, O‘ahu, and Hawai‘i Island) – $1 million. Support community and coastal resilience through ecosystem monitoring and conservation, fisheries management, and volunteer-based outreach in collaboration with community-led organizations. This was a joint request by Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono.

• University of Hawai‘i – $2.2 million. The funding will support the research and management of Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death through improved remote sensing and data analysis to support the quick detection and removal of infected ‘ōhi‘a trees. This was a joint request by Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono.

• Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply – $1 million. The funding will support the development of watershed-scale restoration efforts in Kohala, Kona, and Kaʻū on Hawai‘i Island to improve surface water quality and promote aquifer recharge. This was a joint request by Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono.

• Hawai‘i County Department of Environmental Management – $1 million. This funding would upgrade the Wailoa Pump Station control system to incorporate more energy-efficient variable frequency drive pumps and ensure continued flow capacity. This was a joint request by Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono.

• Hawai‘i County Department of Environmental Management – $2 million. This funding would facilitate force main, pump room, and emergency generator housing renovations to improve capacity, update aging infrastructure, and reduce hazards to employees. This was a joint request by Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono.