Hirono Secures Hawaii Priorities in Defense Authorization

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and Ranking Member of the Seapower Subcommittee, secured key priorities that encourage renewable energy investment, and support America’s strategic interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018.

“Hawaii plays a critical role in advancing our country’s strategic interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region,” said Senator Hirono. “This year’s NDAA works to strengthen alliances in this region, expands and develops resilient and renewable Department of Defense energy infrastructure, and supports Hawaii facilities that our service members rely on every day.”

Senator Hirono secured provisions in the bill that would grow the Department of Defense’s renewable energy and energy resiliency efforts, fight back against proposed headquarters cuts at U.S. Pacific Command, bolster the U.S.-Palau Compact, and authorize an Asia Pacific Stability Initiative to strengthen alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The NDAA also supports over $310 million for military construction investment in Hawaii.

The NDAA is a comprehensive bill that sets policy and funding levels for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. It unanimously passed the Senate Armed Services Committee.

A summary of the provisions included by Senator Hirono follows:

Strengthening Energy Resiliency: Senator Hirono included several provisions that protect energy grids from cyber-attacks, authorize the Department of Defense to increase energy resiliency and conservation projects, and encourage the Department of Defense to work with the private sector to finance renewable energy projects on military installations.

Fighting Back Against PACOM Headquarters Cuts: Senator Hirono included a provision requiring the Department of Defense to review data on past growth of specific headquarters staffs as well as current and projected mission requirements before assessing staff cuts. This provision will ensure that any personnel reductions deemed necessary by the Secretary do not disproportionately impact commands like PACOM, protecting jobs in Hawaii and ensuring that PACOM has the personnel necessary to cover the largest area of responsibility of any of the Department’s combatant commands.

Holding the Department of Defense Accountable on Red Hill: Senator Hirono included language she worked on with Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) that emphasizes the strategic importance of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and directs the Department of Defense to provide budget justification materials on how funds will be used to prevent fuel leaks on Red Hill.

Improving Missile Defense Capabilities: Senator Hirono worked with Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) to include a provision to improve the capabilities of our missile defense system including the addition of ground based interceptors.

Strengthening U.S.-Palau Compact: Senator Hirono worked with the Committee to include an agreement that keeps our commitment to Palau, a key strategic partner, by funding the U.S.-Palau compact. The President’s budget includes $123.9 million for the United States’ remaining funding commitment to the U.S.-Palau Compact.

Establishing Asia Pacific Stability Initiative: Senator Hirono and Senator John McCain included a provision authorizing an Asia Pacific Stability Initiative to help warfighting capability and to strengthen partnerships with allies in the region. 

Funding Anti-Corrosion Efforts: Senator Hirono supported increased funding for corrosion control and prevention efforts, which is important to Hawaii as its unique environment often leads to significant corrosion of military assets such as helicopters and other aircraft. She also included a provision directing a GAO review of the Pentagon’s corrosion control and prevention efforts.

Strengthening Research Agreements with Universities: Senator Hirono included provisions that support research and development agreements between the Department of Defense and universities and provides the Secretary of Defense authority to establish mechanisms for expedited access to technical talent and expertise at academic institutions to support critical missions such as cybersecurity, unmanned systems, and advanced materials among others.

Promoting Military Family Stability: Senator Hirono included several provisions to help military families undergoing permanent change of stations within the U.S., including more flexibility with staying in government quarters and the creation of a pilot program on public-private partnerships for telework facilities on overseas military installations to improve hiring of military spouses.

Investing in Military Construction in Hawaii

$90 million for Fort Shafter’s Command and Control Facility

 $73.2 million for the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam’s Sewer Lift Station

$65.9 million for the Navy’s Command Facility

$26.5 million for Marine Corps Base Hawaii’s Mokapu Gate

$25 million for the Army’s Pohakuloa Training Area

$19 million for the Navy’s MV-22 Landing Pad

$5.5 million for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam’s Consolidated Training Facility

$5 million for Wahiawa’s Kunia Tunnel Entrance

Streamlining of Acquisition Process: Senator Hirono worked with the Committee to include provisions that would streamline the acquisition process, including a provision to support innovation at Department of Defense laboratories and a training program to establish in-resident target training on agile acquisition.

Expanding Major Range and Test Facility Bases: Senator Hirono supported efforts to create incentives for the Department of Defense workforce at laboratories and test ranges and to encourage the Department of Defense to use existing authority and $150 million in funding for infrastructure improvements at major range and test facility bases.

Strengthening Cybersecurity Education and Training Programs: Senator Hirono included provisions allowing easier access to universities for engineering or operational needs for cybersecurity. In addition, Senator Hirono included increased funding for Maui’s high performance computing modernization program and well as increased funding for universities and industry research centers to encourage the development of new technology and defense systems.

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