Let's spend this relatively small amount if it indeed provides significant improvements to our monitoring abilities.  That said, though:

"It took awhile for news of the [Bogoslof] eruption to make its way to volcano experts elsewhere in the country, including Hawaii."

What does "awhile" mean?  I and everyone else on AVO's maillist received an e-mail notification about 4 hours after the 12/20/16 eruption.  The FAA and the other USGS observatories were likely notified sooner/more directly.  

The situation in Alaska is unique.  Their volcanoes are generally remote from populations and mainly pose a threat to aircraft.  Our own Tsunami Warning Center is already competent to assess tsunami threats to our Islands, and Alaskan volcanoes are unlikely to generate Pacific-wide tsunami.  

Hawaii's active volcanoes are already monitored intensively and this bill adds little for us.  I can see upgrading seismic networks for some mainland volcanoes like Lassen, Shasta and Rainier though.