HONOLULU � The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved three funding measures that include nearly $244 million for Hawai'i projects.

Hawai'i Sen. Daniel Inouye says in a news release issued by his Washington office that the initiatives cover transportation, housing, energy, water and technology.

The island Democrat says he's especially pleased the Honolulu mass transit project would get $20 million.

Honolulu would also get $35 million to support and maintain its bus system. The funding would be used to purchase replacement buses and Handi-vans and to construct transit centers.

Another appropriation would provide $10 million in Native Hawaiian housing block grants.