U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, has secured several key priorities for Hawaii and the U.S. military during the Committee’s markup of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Since the fuel leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in 2021, Senator Hirono has worked closely with Department of Defense (DOD) leadership, community leaders in Hawaii, and her Senate colleagues to ensure the safe and timely defueling and closure of Red Hill. In FY 2023 NDAA, she helped secure $1 billion for this purpose. Building on that progress, she secured additional provisions in this year’s NDAA, including creating a new “major mishaps” classification within DOD.
“While we have made progress in defueling the Red Hill facility, we must address the long-term issues surrounding the health and safety of our servicemembers, families, and communities impacted by the fuel leaks,” said Senator Hirono.
The bill includes provisions introduced by Senator Hirono that invest $505 million for a Water Treatment Plant at Red Hill, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam; encourage DOD to finalize a memorandum with Hawaii formalizing long-term commitments to environmental restoration; and establish a new DOD-wide classification system for “major mishaps.”
As Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, Senator Hirono has prioritized modernizing DOD infrastructure in Hawaii and across the country. The NDAA markup includes numerous provisions focused on infrastructure; delivering for communities in Hawaii; supporting servicemembers and their families; strengthening DOD’s capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region; and prioritizing sustainability within DOD.
“By investing in construction and improvement projects...this bill will help ensure readiness,” said Senator Hirono.
The bill includes specific investments such as over $2.5 billion for military construction projects in Hawaii including Dry Dock 3 replacement at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam ($1.2 billion), Wheeler Army Airfield Aircraft Maintenance Hangar ($231 million), among others.
It also supports people by including a 4.5 percent pay increase for military servicemembers and a 2 percent raise for DOD civilian employees; requires basic coverage through TRICARE of artificial reproductive technology; directs improvements related to traumatic brain injury treatment; authorizes an increase of $80 million for Impact Aid to support schools near DOD areas; among other measures.
To strengthen protection capabilities in the Pacific region, it authorizes full budget requests for Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI); plans joint force headquarters subordinate to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Japan and Australia; enhances submarine industrial base funding; rebuilds Guam following Typhoon Mawar with over $12 billion allocated; among other initiatives.
On sustainability efforts, it includes funding for solar panel covered parking at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam ($12.8 million); directs briefings regarding Hawaiian Homelands around testing facilities; mandates invasive species management to mitigate wildfire risks affecting servicemembers' health safety; among other environmental directives.
Committee approval is only one step towards establishing defense funding levels and setting policies for DOD. The bill will next be debated by the full Senate before reconciliation between Senate and House versions can occur prior to Presidential approval.