For Immediate Release
August 9, 2022
Contact:
Mike Inacay or Manu Tupper (202) 224-3123
Schatz: Largest Climate Action In American History Includes First-Time-Ever Investment In Climate Resilience For Native Hawaiian Community
Inflation Reduction Act Contains $25 Million In Dedicated Funding For Native Hawaiian Climate Resilience
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, released the following statement on funding for the Native Hawaiian community in the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed the Senate on Sunday.
“For the first time ever, the federal government will directly support Native Hawaiian-led climate action,” said Chairman Schatz. “This historic funding recognizes the importance of Native Hawaiian traditional knowledge and stewardship in developing effective climate solutions, upholds the federal trust responsibility, and will help the Native Hawaiian community build on its existing climate resiliency work.”
The Inflation Reduction Act, which Schatz voted to pass, provides $25 million to the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations at the Department of the Interior for Native Hawaiian climate resilience and adaptation activities.
Native Hawaiian-serving non-profits may also be eligible to receive additional funding from the bill for coastal community climate resilience, forest restoration and conservation, deployment of zero-emission technologies, and environmental and climate justice block grants.
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