The document summarizes key provisions in the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act that benefit Hawaii, including $460 million for military construction projects. It discusses funding for infrastructure upgrades at various military bases in Hawaii. It also outlines other provisions that require plans to improve the Red Hill Underground Fuel Facility, invest in a tactical underwater training range, and address invasive beetle species. The representatives say the bill helps prepare Hawaii for its strategic role in the Asia-Pacific region.

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 27, 2015
Contact:
Josh Stewart (Gabbard): (202) 226 – 1184
Alex Hetherington (Takai): (202) 603 – 6934
Hawai‘i House Delegation Statement on Defense Authorization Bill
Includes $460 Million for Military Construction and Key Infrastructure Investment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and Congressman Mark Takai
released the following statement about the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act
(NDAA) draft, which both members worked to include provisions critical to Hawai‘i.
“We have worked as a delegation to ensure that the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act
will provide Hawaii with the necessary resources we need to upgrade our aging infrastructure,
protect Hawaii’s environment, and bolster our economy,” said Congressman Mark
Takai. “This year’s bill provides over $460 million in construction spending, a plan to make
improvements to the Red Hill Fuel Facility, and provides improvements for public schools
located on military installations. There has been a lot of talk about the important role that
Hawaii will play in the upcoming rebalance to the Pacific, but the NDAA shows that we are
already beginning to shift the focus to the Asia-Pacific region and that Hawaii needs to start
preparing now. I will continue to work with members on the House Armed Services Committee
to ensure that Hawaii receives this vital federal support.”
“This year's National Defense Authorization bill contains nearly $500 million total investment
for our military infrastructure in Hawai‘i, along with key provisions that directly support both the
readiness of our troops based in our state, and Hawaii’s strategic role in the Asia-Pacific region,”
said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. “As we take this bill up in the Armed Services Committee later this
week, and eventually on the House floor, I will continue to work toward ensuring that Hawai'i is
secure and protected from threats within the region, and that our national strategic military assets
are maintained and supported.”
Gabbard and Takai are both Members of the House Armed Services Committee.
The full Committee is scheduled to mark up the NDAA on April 29, where Members will have
the opportunity to further amend the bill before it comes before the full House.

2. Detailed provisions directly benefitting Hawai‘i are listed below:
Hawai‘i Military Construction - $469,750,000 -- Military construction (MILCON) funding is used for
continued upgrades to critical infrastructure and training assets in the state. This will ensure that Hawai‘i
is viewed as a pivotal location during our nation’s rebalance to the Asia-Pacific.
The FY16 NDAA authorizes funds for the following Hawai‘i projects:
 $30,623,000 for power grid upgrades at Pacific Missile Range Facility
 $228,689,000 for projects at Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i (MCBH), including airfield lighting
modernization, housing, and support facilities.
 $60,881,000 for projects at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH) including the F-22 Fighter
Alert Facility, welding school shop consolidation, and others.
 $107,563,000 for various projects at Schofield Barracks to construct a behavioral health and dental
clinic facility (supports efficient medical and dental services)
 $19,520,000 for energy conservation upgrades at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and Joint Base Pearl
Harbor Hickam.
 $22,384,000 for waterfront improvements at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam for the Navy’s Seal
Delivery Vehicle Team 1.
Red Hill Underground Fuel Facility Infrastructure Plan -- This provision would require an
infrastructure plan to make improvements to the Red Hill Underground Fuel Facility moving
forward. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) is currently conducting an engineering
assessment to determine the best available practicable technological (BAPT) solutions for the
recapitalization of the storage tanks to ensure long-term integrity and environmental compliance. This
provision requires the Defense Logistics Agency to present a plan to proceed with efforts to recapitalize
the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility as quickly as possible.
Barking Sands Technical Underwater Range Replacement -- The bill provides an additional $15
million to begin designing a critical upgrade to the Barking Sands Tactical Underwater Range, the largest
underwater instrumented range in the world. The current underwater range system is beyond its twenty
year design life, this funding would help ensure the Pacific Missile Range Facility will continue to
provide unparalleled training, readiness, and test and evaluation support for the United States military, in
addition to providing marine mammal monitoring and research capabilities.
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Eradication -- The coconut rhinoceros beetle is an invasive species that can
cause millions of dollars of damage to property. The beetle was likely introduced to Guam via military
shipments from Indonesia and the beetle has been introduced to Hawai‘i through military shipments from
Guam. This provision would require Secretary of Defense to report on a program to eradicate the coconut
rhinoceros beetle.
Major Training Range Infrastructure Investment Study -- A number of critical military training
ranges exist in the PACOM AOR. The Armed Forces have launched a number of efforts aimed at
preserving military training ranges, while also minimizing environmental effects of training
activities. This section would direct Congress to study investments in infrastructure needed at major
testing and range facilities, and present a plan moving to modernize ranges throughout the nation,
including those in Hawai‘i.
Increased Investment in Small Shipyards --This provision would require the Secretary of Defense to
prioritize investment in small shipyards, specifically those run by small businesses that are ancillary to
public shipyards.

3. Public Schools on Military Installations --The Department of Defense, acting through the Office of
Economic Adjustment (OEA), has provided grants to local educational agencies to construct, renovate,
repair, or expand elementary and secondary public schools on military installations. Many of these
schools are in Hawai‘i, and are in need of dire investment to bring them up to standard. This provision
would ensure that schools that have already been allocated funding in the past are upgraded using existing
funds, while reevaluating the schools in the lower tiers to gauge necessary reprioritization.
Strategy for the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region -- The bill requires the President to provide an overall
strategy for U.S. interests in the region, coordinate implementation of the strategy across the federal
government, and provide a separate section in the President’s budget request that identifies the resources
put to the Indo-Asia-Pacific strategy.
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