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June 22, 2004

House approves $8.2 million for Hawaii R&D

Washington, DC - - The House of Representatives included $8.2 million for three Hawaii-based Research and Development (R&D) projects advocated by Congressman Neil Abercrombie in legislation passed today to fund the U.S. military for Fiscal Year 2005. 

Hawaii R&D projects in the $418 billion FY 2005 Defense Appropriations Act include: 

See/Rescue Distress Streamers-- $3 million

The See/Rescue distress streamer is a compact, high strength, bright orange polyethelene 40-foot streamer deployed by accident survivors on land or water.  It improves the visibility of survivors by a factor of 50 to 240, depending on the model.  The streamers are constructed of inert materials, eliminating the need for costly maintenance or batteries, chemicals, or electronics.  The funding will allow Aiea-based Rescue Technologies to complete the See/Rescue streamer’s search and rescue (SAR) certification process. Certification is required to validate the streamer as an effective device in improving detectability of escape rafts, persons in the water, and submarine man overboard scenarios.  Testing will include both day and night effectiveness, as well as visual sweep width determinations (for use by SAR pilots flying search patterns).  This submarine-centered program will have broad SAR application and yield important data for inclusion in Navy and international SAR guidance and documents.  

Marine Mammal Research Program -- $2.2 million

Addresses concerns about the effects of sound on the behavior and well-being of marine mammals.  The research is particularly important to the Navy as it seeks to deploy the Low Frequency Active Sonar for increased sub-hunting capabilities.  The UH Marine Mammal Research Program at Kaneohe has already demonstrated proficiency in echo-location studies on whales and dolphins. This provision maintains funding for continued research to ensure that all ocean users, including the military, meet environmental standards without compromising operational capability. 

Interrogator for High-Speed Retro-Reflectometer Communication -- $3 million

Honolulu-based NovaSol is continuing development of a beta prototype interrogator system to demonstrate a high-speed reflectometer data link from an air platform.  The overarching purpose of the program is to develop high-speed data links for rapid download of high resolution imagery from airborne sensors, particularly Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).  These funds will enable the Navy to move these technical advances into the development of a miniature prototype.  The prototype will demonstrate a high-speed reflector data link with an interrogator designed for easy transport by special operation forces.

Of the bill’s Hawaii R&D projects, Abercrombie said: “This work will nurture Hawaii’s emerging high tech sector and provide growing opportunities for our young people to participate in the 21^st century economy.”

General provisions of the bill include:

Better pay and benefits for the military.  An average 3.5 percent pay increase for military personnel provides targeted pay hikes for a variety of personnel.  The bill also fully funds the basic housing allowance so that out-of-pocket housing expenses for military members willbe reduced from the current 3.5 percent to zero. 

Increased imminent danger pay and family separation allowance.  Imminent danger pay is increased from $150 to $225 per month and the family separation allowance – which goes to help military families pay rent, child care and other expenses while servicemembers are away – is increased from $100 to $250 per month. 

Increased force protection for U.S. troops.  Funds increased protection for U.S. troops in Iraq, including expedited production of up-armored Humvees, more body armor, additional armored trucks, and more explosive device jammers. 

More funding for equipment for National Guard and Reserves.  The bill provides $2.578 to equip National Guard and Reserve units. 

Treatment of prisoners.  A Democrat-sponsored amendment to the bill reiterates the U.S. policy of upholding the tenets of the 1949 Geneva Convention with regard to treatment of prisoners of war and detainees.  It also requires a Department of Defense report to Congress by February 1, 2005, regarding the military structure for managing prisons and the training standards for those who handle prisoners. 

In separate legislation, the FY2005 Defense Authorization Act, Abercrombie secured more than $300 million for Hawaii military construction projects. Both bills are now awaiting action by the Senate. 

Abercrombie is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, which authorizes R&D, construction, and other programs undertaken by the U.S. military.

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