Schatz: Tens Of Millions In New Federal Funding Heading To Hawai‘i In Appropriations Deal

Another Package With Additional Funding Set To Be Released in Coming Weeks

WASHINGTON - Yesterday, the Senate voted 82-15 to pass a bipartisan appropriations deal that will deliver tens of millions in federal funding for critical programs that benefit Hawai'i. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, successfully secured funding for Hawai'i's priorities in the final deal. The package now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law.

"Despite the difficult political environment in Washington, we secured federal funding for key priorities across Hawai'i," said Senator Schatz. "This new funding will help protect our parks and wildlife, support clean energy and disaster preparedness, and promote Native Hawaiian arts and culture. We're not done yet, and we're going to continue working to make sure Hawai'i gets its fair share of federal dollars."

FUNDING HIGHLIGHTS FOR HAWAI'I INCLUDE:

Native Hawaiian Culture and Art - $1.3 million. Senator Schatz secured funding for grants to nonprofit organizations or institutions that support programs for Native Hawaiian culture and arts development. The bill also includes a statutory language fix to allow Native Hawaiian Organizations to apply, in line with Senator Schatz's Native Arts and Culture Promotion Act.

East Maui Rainforest - $9.9 million. This funding helps the Forest Legacy Program acquire native forestlands for state management.

State of the Birds Research - $6.7 million. More than 90 Hawaiian bird species have gone extinct, and nine listed Hawaiian bird species are currently in decline. These funds will support continued mosquito research, which is crucial to preventing further extinctions as climate change, habitat degradation and destruction, and other human and environmental impacts threaten native bird population levels.

He'eia National Estuarine Research Reserve - $881,000 (estimated). This funding will support the He'eia National Estuarine Research Reserve which demonstrates the value of Native Hawaiian taro cultivation and fishpond aquaculture to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

Native Tourism Assistance - $1.3 million (nationwide). Senator Schatz's Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act provides grants, loans, and technical assistance to Indian Tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to expand cultural tourism opportunities and spur economic development. This funding will continue to build and strengthen the NATIVE Act grant programs administered by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Protecting Parks and Refuges - $3.4 billion (nationwide). The bill fully funds National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operations which includes funding to support staffing for visitors services at Hawai'i's wildlife refuges and national parks.

EPA Funding - $8.8 billion (nationwide). The bill funds the Environmental Protection Agency so it can fulfill critical responsibilities like protecting our environment and health from pollution through the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. It also maintains Energy Star, the voluntary energy efficiency labeling program, which lowers energy costs for Hawai'i households.

Endangered Hawaiian Marine Species Protection - $12.2 million. The bill includes:

• $4.6 million in funding to support conservation and recovery of monk seals, the only seal species in the world that live in only one nation's territorial waters, with research on vaccination and disease prevention (morbillivirus and toxoplasmosis).
• $5.6 million in funding to support sea turtle conservation activities such as continued monitoring of endangered turtle populations and the impacts of habitat loss.
• $1.5 million in funding to support investigations into interactions between fisheries and false killer whales.
• $500,000 for state-led conservation activities.

Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument - $1.2 million. This funding supports the National Ocean Service in providing competitive education, research, and management grants for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - $4 million (nationwide). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to coastal states like Hawai'i for preparedness activities such as inundation mapping, disaster planning, and tsunami education.

Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program - $2.2 million (estimated). The National Sea Grant College Program supports the University of Hawai'i in conducting research, education, and advisory services in any field related to the conservation and development of marine resources.

Ocean Observing System - $3.2 million (estimated). This funding supports Hawaii's Pacific Integrated Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) which improves weather forecasting and detects changes in coastal ecosystems and coastal climate.

Geothermal Resource Assessment - $2.5 million (Hawai'i and Alaska). This funding will help the U.S. Geological Survey assess prospective geothermal resources in Hawai'i and Alaska. Senator Schatz also secured support for permitting of clean energy projects.

Brown Tree Snake Control - $3 million (estimated). This funding will help sustain current brown tree snake management efforts in Hawai'i and across U.S. territories in the Pacific region. To date, this program has saved $1.7 billion in costs for invasive species management in Hawai'i.

Improved Data for Weather Forecasting - $30 million (nationwide). NOAA's Mesonet Program purchases weather data from non-federal networks to supply fine resolution data that can greatly enhance forecasts. The funding will help collect data to improve flood forecasts across Hawai'i.

Coral Reef Conservation - $33.5 million (nationwide). This funding supports NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program, which addresses the top threats to coral reef ecosystems in Hawai'i and across the country. Working with partners, NOAA develops place-based strategies, measures the effectiveness of management efforts, and builds capacity among reef managers globally.

National Marine Sanctuaries - $67 million (nationwide). This funding supports research and management of the national network of Marine Sanctuaries, including the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and the Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Sanctuary.

AI Research - $30 million (nationwide). The bill fully funds the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) to support independent and under-resourced AI researchers. A total of 7 projects in Hawai'i has been funded through NAIRR.

Port Infrastructure Maintenance - $1.5 million. The funding will support U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operations, maintenance, inspections, and surveys of the conditions of multiple ports in Hawai'i, including:

• Barber's Point Harbor (O'ahu)
• Hilo Harbor (Hawai'i Island)
• Kahului Harbor (Maui)
• Kahului Small Boat Harbor (Maui)
• Kawaihae Harbor (Hawai'i Island)
• Nawiliwili Harbor (Kaua'i)

Maui Watershed Assessment - $500,000. The bill funds an assessment of Maui's watershed to better understand vulnerabilities to flooding and other natural disasters.

Geothermal Research and Development - $50 million (nationwide). The bill funds research and development in diverse regions and demonstrations of important next-generation technologies that can provide clean, reliable power.

Carbon Dioxide Removal - $72 million (nationwide). The bill funds research and development of carbon dioxide removal technologies that will be necessary for managing the impacts of climate change.

State Energy Programs - $435 million (nationwide). The bill funds clean energy programs, including the Hawai'i state home energy efficiency rebates and weatherization assistance that provides installation of energy saving products like LED lights and insulation for low-income families. The program also funds workforce training and community planning for the energy sector.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Cost of Housing - The bill includes language directing research into how tariffs and other trade barriers impact housing and construction costs.

Protecting Research Funding - The bill removes a new cap on the use of grant funding for indirect costs which would have resulted in the layoffs of researchers in Hawai'i.

Disclosing AI-Generated Content - The bill includes language directing efforts, including developing standards and establishing research databases and prize competitions, to help consumers identify AI-generated content.

Preventing AI Fraud and Scams - The bill includes language directing the research of AI developments and trends that could result in consumer fraud or scams, including research that would empower and educate consumers about these risks.

AI Grid Modernization - The bill includes language supporting research into how AI technologies can help modernize the electrical grid, such as improvements to real-time operations and efficiencies for energy delivery.

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