Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie announced today that Hawaii’s military bases and facilities will receive more than $63 million in recovery funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed by Congress in February.  Fifty-nine million dollars of the funding is aimed at a number of major projects to increase energy efficiency and essential quality of life for Army personnel at Ft. Shafter, Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield. 

“This funding will put people to work and make necessary improvements in high priority military facilities,” said Abercrombie, who chairs the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces.  “These military construction projects are important to maintain the mission capability of our bases and add to the quality of life for our men and women in uniform and their families.”

Projects approved for funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, include:

• Ft. Shafter; Building and Facility Repair — $5,100,000
• Schofield Barracks; Building Repair and Upgrades — $21,000,000
• Schofield Barracks; Photovoltaic and other Energy Efficiency Systems — $13,500,000
• Schofield Barracks; Child Development Center — $1,500,000
• Wheeler Army Airfield; Building Repair — $8,400,000
• Wheeler Army Airfield; Taxiway, Apron and Hangar Repair — $7,000,000
• Additional projects involving road and roof repair, water and wastewater and electrical system upgrades.

An additional $4.5 million has been allocated to dredge the entrance channels at Haleiwa and Waianae small boat harbors to maintain the proper water depth for safe boat operation.

“Hawaii is already receiving federal funds to help build and repair schools, for education and worker training and clean water projects,” Abercrombie said.  “The Obama Administration’s recovery bill is bringing funds to create or save 15,000 jobs over the next two years and get our economy moving again.”

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