If President Bush's budget, that is currently before congress passes the military would spend $553 million on construction projects in Hawai'i next year..
The llist of projected construction items for Hawaii:
- $99.9 million facility at Pearl Harbor to help submarines maintain their stealth.
- $16.5 million expansion to the Air Force's surveillance operations center at Hickam Air Force Base.
- $65.4 million for a Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station in Wahiawa.
- $121 million for barracks at Fort Shafter, Wheeler Army Air Field and the Marine Corps base in Kane'ohe.
- $136.3 million to continue building a National Security Agency regional operations center.
- $88 million to continue the 20-year "Whole Barracks Renewal" program revamping all soldier housing at Schofield Barracks.
- $15.5 million for Hickam AFB to continue work on a parking ramp for C-17 transport jets.
- $11.9 million to replace a fuel system.
President Bush's request for Hawaii is the highest dollar budgeted for all states. Hawaii is home for several military bases.
Hawai'i is becoming more important to the nation's defense because of potential threats in the Pacific region from North Korea and China.
According to U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye's office, military construction funding for Hawai'i has varied over the past five years. In 2003, it was $258 million, and rose to $339 million in 2004 and $368 million in 2005. It fell to $354 million in 2006.
;)
;)
