National Military Schools Association Presents Takai with Champion for Children Award

Press Release

The National Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA) recognized the Hawaii Department of Education, military housing officials, and Hawaii State Rep. Mark Takai for their efforts that have resulted in an increase of $43.3 million in Federal Impact Aid funds for the Hawaii Department of Education.

In 2002, Takai found an obscure provision called Table 9, in the Federal Impact Aid Law that some military districts have used that provides for a significant increase in funding for children displaced because of housing renovations occurring on military installations.

"The coordinated effort of DOE, military housing officials and Rep. Takai should be commended. Without this cooperation, schools in Hawaii would have lost out on millions of dollars over the past 12 years," MISA Executive Director Kyle Fairbairn said.

The total increase of Federal Impact Aid funds due to this effort is $43,395,801.

"This is a perfect example of what is possible not only when we diligently pursue federal resources that may benefit Hawaii, but also what we can achieve when all of us can do working together," Takai said.

Takai was also awarded the National Military Impacted Schools Champion for Children Award. An award given to only one other recipient this year, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Debra Wada.

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