Federal stimulus pumps $820 million into Hawaii

Hawaii has been awarded a total of $820 million for various projects and programs through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act since the stimulus package was passed by Congress in February, according to Recovery.gov, the federal web site.

With those funds, Hawaii has created or saved approximately 1,545 jobs in the eight months since the federal economic stimulus package went into effect, according to the federal government’s report on stimulus spending released on Oct. 30. That includes the 250 jobs that Hawaii businesses reported they created or saved as a result of federal contracts. State officials, however, told reporters that 926 Hawaii jobs have been created or saved so far.

Nationally, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has created or saved 640,329 jobs, according to figures posted on the federal government’s Recovery.gov web site.

A joint panel of the state Legislature began an examination of the use of federal economic stimulus money in the state departments of health and human services. The Federal Economic Stimulus Program Oversight Commission met on Nov. 24 at the state Capitol to hear an overview of the spending and to take public comment. The commission is headed by Rep. Michael Magaoay (D, Schofield-Kahuku) and Sen. Shan Tsutsui (D, Wailuku-Kahului).

The state has received 209 contracts for a total of $129,406,131 that saved or created 415 jobs. In addition it received 299 grants totalling $681,609,209 that created or saved 1,130 jobs and one loan for $910,861.

The state also received $140.3 million for the “state fiscal stabilization fund,” which it says was used to balance the state’s budget. The Department of Transportation received $142.7 million, the Department of Education $77.8 million, the City & COuntry of Honolulu $55.6 million and the Department of Health $54.9 million.

Stimulus funds are either given directly to the state, determined through existing formulas for programs, or through competitive grants and loans. Nationally, states have received a total of $158.7 billion in contracts, grants and loans through the stimulus package. For the full report, visit recovery.gov.