Kaua‘i’s Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands could get $30 million for everything from flood control around the base to high-end technology research, according to U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye’s office. Meanwhile, the state as a whole could reap $540
Kaua‘i’s Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands could get $30 million for everything from flood control around the base to high-end technology research, according to U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye’s office.
Meanwhile, the state as a whole could reap $540 million if the Senate passes a $416.2 billion defense spending bill later this week.
“If there’s research involved, we would hope that it would involve job creation, stimulate visitor activity, and maybe even bring long-term contractors,” said Beth Tokioka, director of Kaua‘i Office of Economic Development.
“That could be a magnet for us for more jobs,” she said.
PMRF is already Kaua‘i’s largest employer, with over a 1,000 military, civilian and contract employees, and pumps $130 million annually into Kaua‘i’s economy, according to government estimates.
“High-tech jobs created at the base are tremendously important to long-term diversification of our economy,” said Sen. Gary Hooser, D-Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau. “Dual-use technology like that can be used in the civilian marketplace and spawn other businesses.”
Sen. Inouye is the top Democrat on the Senate defense appropriations subcommittee, so the bill — and the Hawai‘i-bound money — is expected to flow.
“This is long-term thinking,” Hooser said. “Not only is this good for defense, but it’s good for long-term economic diversification here.”
Among the big-ticket items for Kaua‘i and PMRF-related activities:
- $8 million for force protection and base security.
- $5 million to support a continuing program that simulates targets for tracking.
- $5 million for PMRF’s missile defense activities with sensors.
- $4 million for the Kaua‘i Test Facility, operated by the Sandia National Labs.
- $12.5 million for an on-going airborne warning system and test bed on Makaha Ridge.
The defense bill also includes $3 million for the Hawai‘i National Guard counter-drug program. The funds would be used to block drugs coming through Hawai‘i’s ports, support youth drug programs and destroy marijuana. The defense spending bill is about $1.7 billion below the president’s initial request, but is $22.5 billion more than was approved for 2004.
Phil Hayworth, Business Editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) and mailto:phayworth@pulitzer.net
