WASHINGTON — Oahu’s rail transit project is on track to receive $30 million in federal funds and Native Hawaiian housing assistance programs another $13 million in fiscal year 2010, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye said today.

The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Projects Appropriations Bill approved by the Senate Appropriations panel would provide the Honolulu High Capacity Transit Corridor Project with $30 million in funding to continue preliminary engineering phases of initial facility and transit system design, in addition to the refinement of capital costs estimates, as required by the Federal Transit Administration.
“Without federal funds they cannot complete the rail transit project that the voters approved. Obviously I am going to do whatever I can,” Inouye said. “For the economy of Hawaii, for the transportation of our citizens, this is important.”
The spending measure also provides $13 million for the Native Hawaiian Block grant program to provide housing assistance to Native Hawaiian families.
“According to a recent study, more Native Hawaiian families live in poverty than any other ethnic group in the state. This money will go a long way to helping ensure that they have access to proper housing, and that their families are provided for,” Inouye said.

The rural bus program would receive $3.5 million for Hawaii, Maui and Kauai counties. The funding would help purchase additional buses and provide bus shelters, transit benches, and upgrades needed to comply with the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act.

The Housing Urban Development Department also provides grant support for the Native Hawaiian Serving Institution, which would receive $3 million to increase their role and effectiveness in addressing local community development needs, including neighborhood revitalization, housing and economic development.
The Senate Appropriations committee approved national programs that benefit Hawaii, but did not break out a specific dollar amount for the state.
The programs include Essential Air Service, Community Development Block Grant, Housing Assistance Council, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Housing Loan, Guarantee Fund Program, Maritime Security Program, Fed-Aid Highway Program Obligation Limitation, McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Program, Small Shipyards Grant Program and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
The legislation advances to the full Senate committee to be considered at a later date.