The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, passed by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, includes many provisions that directly impact Hawaii — including more than $2 billion in construction projects — and many others that benefit the Pacific region, military service members stationed in Hawaii, and Department of Defense projects Hawaii has a stake in.

What You Need To Know

  • The $895 billion bill, which cleared the Senate on Wednesday, now moves to President Joe Biden for final approval

  • Provisions added by U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, include more than $2 billion for infrastructure projects in Hawaii

  • The annual defense authorization bill was hotly debated this year, after Republicans added the provision to ban the military health system from providing transgender medical care for children

The mammoth $895 billion bill, which cleared the Senate on Wednesday, passed the House last week with a 281-140 vote. It now moves to President Joe Biden for final approval.

Provisions added by U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, include more than $2 billion for infrastructure projects in Hawaii, more than $9 billion for initiatives to support America’s allies and strengthen deterrence throughout the Indo-Pacific region, and the creation of a new “major mishaps” incident classification within the DOD to bolster accountability.

“This year’s NDAA invests in critical DOD infrastructure, bolsters national security and readiness, supports our service members, and delivers for the people of Hawaii,” said Hirono in a statement. “As Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, I’m proud to have helped secure provisions to increase pay for military personnel and ensure service members and their families can access and afford basic needs like child care and health care. I am also glad the bill contains a provision I introduced following the Red Hill fuel spills to create a new classification for major mishaps within the DOD to ensure a more thorough investigative process and provide for greater oversight and accountability of such incidents.”

The annual defense authorization bill was hotly debated this year, after Republicans added the provision to ban the military health system from providing transgender medical care for children.

“While this NDAA takes important steps to ensure the readiness of our military and the health and safety of our service members, it’s unfortunate Republicans demanded the inclusion of a cruel and unnecessary amendment preventing TRICARE from providing gender-affirming care, despite our efforts to strip it from the bill,” said Hirono. “I’ll continue working to support our service members and their families and fighting to ensure they have access to the care and benefits they need.”

The bill included a wide range of other provisions specific to Hawaii. If approved by Biden, as expected, the NDAA will:

  • Authorizes over $2.2 billion in DOD investment in Hawaii facilities, including $1.2 billion for Dry Dock 3 replacement at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, $505 million for the Water Treatment Plant at Red Hill, $231 million for a Wheeler Army Airfield Aircraft Maintenance Hangar, $20 million for an Airfield Operations Building at Pohakuloa Training Area, $203.5 million for a Hangar and Parking Apron at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, $94 million for Electrical Distribution and Modernization at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and $36.6 million for a Hawaii Air National Guard Space Control Center at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. 
  • As a follow-up to the Red Hill fuel leak to bolster accountability within the Department of Defense, the NDAA establishes a new DOD-wide classification system for “major mishap incidents,” defined as incidents that surpass $500,000,000 in damage or loss and have a significant effect on national security. If an incident meets these criteria and is designated by the Secretary of Defense, the DOD will be required to appoint a two-star Admiral or General as the investigating officer and complete the investigation within 12 months. The provision also requires mandatory follow-on reports to Congress until all disciplinary actions are completed. 
  • Authorizes more than $100 million for the procurement of a dual-use, FAA aviation safety and missile tracking radar in support of the defense of Hawaii. 
  • Encourages DOD to finalize a memorandum of agreement with the State of Hawaii formalizing a long-term commitment to environmental restoration and remediation as well as a research program to determine the total volume and location of any contaminated soil. 
  • Authorizes an additional $4 million above the President’s budget for the Pacific Intelligence and Innovation Initiative (P3I), which creates a local skilled workforce to meet DOD demand for intelligence, IT, and cyber professionals in Hawaii. 
  • Requires the Army and Navy to coordinate a plan for the repair and maintenance of Kolekole Pass for emergency egress. 
  • Requires DOD to provide an update on coordination efforts with the State of Hawaii to maintain or extend the Daniel K. Inouye Highway. 
  • Requires the Secretary of Defense to enhance efforts to manage, control, and interdict the coconut rhinoceros beetle on military installations in Hawaii. 
  • Directs an update from DOD on providing training for cultural adaptation and community orientation for service members assigned to Hawaii and Joint Region Marianas.

 

Related Stories