The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly yesterday to approve a measure that includes $583 million for a dozen military construction projects in Hawai'i.

The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, which passed 92-1, earmarks nearly $209 million for Island barracks and living quarters construction and improvements at Fort Shafter, Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield and Kane'ohe Bay.

It also sets aside nearly $100 million for the construction of a facility at Pearl Harbor to make it difficult for U.S. submarines to be detected by enemy sensor systems. An additional $30 million would be used to upgrade two dry docks at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to ensure competitiveness.

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"...the funding for these projects underscores the fact that Hawai'i's strategic location is key to our readiness for answering the challenges in the Asia-Pacific region," [Sen. Daniel] Inouye said.