Kaʻū News Briefs March 23, 2024

Marshallese family members congratulate their   Kaʻū High graduate last May. Photo by Julia Neal

    Hirono is a champion of assisting Pacific Islands and said,  “These renegotiated Compacts of Free Association will continue the United States’ decades-long relationship with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. In addition to solidifying our relationship with the Compact nations for the next 20 years, this agreement corrects a nearly 30-year old policy failure that has prevented the tens of thousands of COFA citizens who live, work, and pay taxes in the U.S.—many of whom choose to build their lives in Hawai'i—from accessing federal benefits.
    Hirono said, "I’m glad that after years of advocacy to restore these benefits, and following restoration of eligibility for Medicaid, this bill includes my provision to provide access to federal benefits—including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and more—for COFA citizens living in the U.S. This change will make life better for thousands of COFA citizens in Hawai'i. I’ve appreciated the partnership of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and thank the many advocates—in Hawai'i and in COFA communities across the country—whose hard work made this victory possible.”

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THE FEDERAL BUDGET THAT PASSED THIS WEEK includes nearly 50 projects for Hawai'i submitted by Sen. Mazie Hirono. She said, “These projects will help strengthen our conservation efforts, protect native species, upgrade infrastructure, and support programs that serve our keiki, kupuna, and local families. As we continue working to fund the federal government, I’ll keep fighting to secure crucial federal investments for Hawai'i’s families, children, and communities.” The projects include:

    Hawai'i Land Trust - $1,097,000 to install predator proof fencing to protect native forest species from invasive predators.
    Aha Punana Leo - $1,050,000 to improve the infrastructure of Hawaiian language medium facilities and consolidate parcels to better suit the needs of the Hawaiian language community.
    MA'O Organic Farms - $567,000 to construct an Agroforesty Training Baseyard as proper infrastructure to support a new offshoot of youth workforce programs.

    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources - $300,000 to evaluate the potential of using native Hawaiian aquatic plants to sequester carbon in freshwater and estuarine ecosystems.

    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Water Resources - $350,000 to improve the state of understanding of the complex hydrologic systems in Hawai'i and use sound science to manage and protect water resources into the future.
    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources - $700,000 to establish varieties of limu (native seaweed) stocks in a secure laboratory setting, maintain a repository of culturally and ecologically important limu, and adapt standard plant tissue culture techniques to maintain diverse limu seed stocks.
    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources - $750,000 to restore two native estuarine habitats on Hawai'i Island and to increase educational opportunities and public awareness about the cultural, historical, and ecological importance of these habitats.
    University of Hawai'i System - $2,250,000 to use remote sensing and data modeling to forecast and monitor the spread of rapid 'ohia death (ROD) across native 'ohia forests throughout the islands.
    The Marine Mammal Center - $880,000 to work with local cultural advisors, academics, and other stakeholders and partners to design a data-driven behavior change campaign focused on protecting monk seals from harmful human behavior.
    County of Hawai'i, Department of Water Supply - $1,000,000 to invest in watershed protection and restoration in West Hawai'i.
    The Nature Conservancy Hawai'i & Palmyra - $1,000,000 to support the establishment of community-organized post-storm response and coral restoration groups, baseline reef monitoring, and watershed, coastal habitat, and marine restoration projects throughout Hawai'i.

    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Forestry & Wildlife - $700,000 to protect wetland that is home to many birds, invertebrates, and aquatic species including 12 endangered species by constructing a predator exclosure fence.

    Department of Land and Natural Resources, Water Resources - $2,400,000 to decommission unused and abandoned wells across the state that pose a serious threat to drinking water aquifers as pollutants have a direct conduit to the aquifer via an unmaintained well.
    County of Hawai'i, Department of Environmental Management - $2,035,000 to renovate an existing sewage pump station and force main (pipeline) that are both about 50 years old.
    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Forestry & Wildlife - $2,500,000 to continue the effort of releasing sterile male mosquitoes across the islands to save native honeycreepers from extinction.
    County of Hawai'i, Department of Environmental Management - $1,000,000 to upgrade a pump control system, as the system is obsolete and replacement parts can no longer be acquired.

    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Water Resources - $959,757 to support upgrades and improvements to water systems based on the results of Annual Water Audit data.
    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Water Resources - $959,757 to support the construction of 1-two new Drinking Water Monitors statewide, with a focus on areas experiencing an increased demand on water resources or are targeted for increased development, to monitor the health of Hawai'i’s drinking water aquifers.

    Child & Family Service - $1,000,000 to undertake demolition and infrastructure work on Child and Family Service’s existing property in an effort to build a new youth residential crisis stabilization facility for children in crisis.
    YWCA of Hawaii Island - $1,500,000 to replace a defunct swimming complex with a new, modern preschool, including age-appropriate play areas and a commercial kitchen.
    Hui Malama O Ke Kai Foundation - $785,000 to construct a multi-purpose pavilion with a certified commercial kitchen and multipurpose space for educational and community activities.
    Residential Youth Services and Empowerment (RYSE) - $3,000,000 to build and renovate facilities to address youth homelessness through small census living models and residential care, programming, and supportive services.
    Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i - $1,500,000 to purchase and renovate a building to create a new headquarters for Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i. The headquarters will serve as a space to host youth programs, to facilitate community and family workshops, to distribute resources, and as a hub for mentoring services for youth and teens.
    Island of Hawai'i YMCA - $625,000 to acquire parcel of land adjacent to the existing Island of Hawai'i YWCA, allowing the organization to expand program access.
    Child & Family Service - $2,000,000 to contribute to the construction of a 6,000 sq ft walk-in service and resource center adjacent to the organization’s existing location.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands