Department of Defense

lwa takes its toll

Guard moves into action

On November 23, Hurricane lwa slammed into Kauai and Oahu causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Hours before it was known if the storm would actually hit the islands, the Hawaii National Guard and State Civil Defense were already getting ready to battle the storm and its devastating effects. By the time it was over, more than 300 Guard members had served their state.

Maj. Gen Arthur U. lshimoto donned his second hat, that of director of State Civil Defense, and at 7 a.m. on the day of the storm activated the State Emergency Operating Center at Birkhimer Tunnel in Diamond Head Crater. Maintaining constant communications with the National Weather Service and the various county civil defense centers, State Civil Defense officials initiated carefully prepared plans to deal with the hurricane.

WARNING GOES OUT

At 8 a.m., a hurricane warning for Kauai was issued. General lshimoto and Governor George Ariyoshi conferred several times during the morning by phone. On the general’s recommendation, Governor Ariyoshi ordered all Oahu schools shut down and directed all non-essential state employees to head for home.

National Guard commanders were notified to stand by for activation to state active duty. A HANG commanders meeting was cut short and those in Honolulu from the neighbor islands were told to return to their units. Lt. Col. Raymond Moriguchi, commander of the 150th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, and Maj. Vincent Nishina of the 201st Air Traffic Control Flight got on practically the last flight back to Kauai before the airlines stopped flying there.

Both the Army and Air Guard set up command posts in Department of Defense Headquarters on Diamond Head Road. Additionally, both divisions had members on duty up in the EOC to coordinate with civil defense and government officials. Others went to work at county civil defense centers.

SIRENS SOUND

At noon, Kauai’s sirens wailed their warning for people to evacuate potential tsunami inaundation areas. Selected Hawaii Army and Air National Guard members were ordered to state active duty by Governor Ariyoshi to help prepare for the developing emergency.

On Kauai, an evacuation center was set up in the Kapaa Armory while a truck was dispatched to Hanalei and Princeville to help evacuate area families.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service satellite stopped sending pictures back of the storm and its movement. Without pictures, predicting when the storm would hit became almost impossible.

The 169th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron promptly filled the void. Using the powerful radar atop Mt. Kaala. 169th radar operators kept track of the storm’s movement and relayed that information to the Governor through General lshimoto allowing state officials to make initial, lifesaving decisions.

By mid-afternoon, the state’s Emergency Broadcast System was operating, relaying vital instructions to Oahu and Kauai residents.

STORM HITS

Then came the storm. Late in the afternoon and into the evening 100-miles per hour winds plus high waves battered Hawaii’s two northern islands. However, due to adequate warning injuries were minimal. One Navy man died after his ship was struck by a huge wave while leaving Pearl Harbor. No other deaths were directly attributable to the storm.

Sixteen Guard 400-gallon water trailers were placed around Oahu to provide drinking water to those in need. Brigham Young University in Laie had four trailers, two went to the Craford Convalescent Hospital, one to Kahuku Hospital and the rest to various other areas on the North Shore and Leeward Coast.

By November 25 the Guard gears were working smoothing. Army and Air Guard command posts coordinated relief efforts with police, Civil Defense and Red Cross officials. When the Federal Emergency Management Agency officials arrived on Kauai, an Army Guard Huey was waiting to support them.

Even while the winds were blowing and power was out, Guard members were at work.

Elements of the 227th Engineer Company headed to the Waianae coast to help evacuate people from storm-damaged homes, and to assist the Honolulu Police Department in preventing looting.

At Barking Sands on Kauai, members of the 202nd Air Traffic Control Flight stayed on the job keeping open what turned out to be the only official communications channel between their island and the rest of the world that night and the following morning.

SM Sgt. Edgar Takabayashi and STgt. Albert Antonio maintained a high-frequency radio link to the 201st Combat Communications Group Headquarters at Hickam Air Force Base. The men also had a ham radio on hand that they used to keep in touch with Kauai Civil Defense. They were then able to relay important information to officials on Oahu. At 8 p.m., after an outside maintenance building had blown down, the unit’s antenna finally lost its battle against the high winds. Early the next morning, however, the unit got back on the air. Several other unit members, including Major Nishina worked throughout the night.

Up at Kokee, the 150th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron had battened down the hatches, secured their radar antennas and then watched as the winds broke thick wooden 90-foot radio antenna poles like matchsticks and sent them crashing down on unit buildings. The winds also completely blocked the road leading to the site isolating the area for several days. Helicopters, Navy and Army Guard, ferried workers and repair crews back and forth until the road was opened.

Kauai Guardsmen from Company B, 299th Infantry, assisted Kauai police throughout the first long, dark night in the Kilauea and Poipu areas to prevent looting. They continued serving in that role for several days.

Finally the storm ended and Wednesday, November 24 dawned over the vast and previously unimagined destruction. Then the Guard and Civil Defense really got down to work.

The HANG C-7 started the first of 38 missions, flying in supplies and equipment to Kauai. Army Guard trucks helped distribute much needed food.

The Army Guard’s twin engine U-21 plane carried Governor Ariyoshi and General lshimoto to Kauai. Once there, they boarded a Guard Huey flown from Wheeler Air Force Base for an aerial reconnaissance of the stricken island. They also flew over Niihau and provided the first reports back that everything appeared to be all right in the remote community.

POWER RESTORED

More than 15 powerful electrical generators from 201st units on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island were airlifted over to Kauai to provide power for water pumping and emergency services. Accompanying the generators were 201st electrical specialists, many of whom volunteered for the mission. They augmented 202nd ATCF specialists already at work restoring vitally needed power.

GUARD DAMAGE

The Hawaii National Guard also had to deal with major damage to its facilities. According to Capt. Jerry Matsuda, state engineering officer, Guard facilities sustained damages of more than $1.2 million.

The most damage- $345,000- occurred at the 150th AC&W Squadron, however, the unit’s radar towers survived unhurt. The Hanapepe Armory and its vehicle storage building suffered $320,000 in damage.

For days after the storm, the Hawaii Army and Air National Guard kept up their intensive efforts to help all Hawaii’s affected people. More than 230 Hawaii Army Guard and 100 Air Guard members served on state active duty providing services to those in need and security for abandoned property.

General lshimoto had high praise for the actions, many heroic, performed by Guard and State Civil Defense personnel. He said, “In the state’s time of need, the Department of Defense was ready. I’m extremely proud of all who helped, and if there’s another emergency the people of Hawaii can count on the Hawaii National Guard and State Civil Defense.”

-By 1st Lt. Drew M. Hurley

– 1982 Winter Pūpūkahi pp. 1 & 7

Kauai Guardsmen respond; saves neighbors’ lives

Hawaii National Guard and State Department of Defense personnel proved themselves to be of invaluable assistance on Kauai during the height and aftermath of Hurricane lwa.

Sgt. Lennox F. Camat, Sgt. Gordon K. Doo, Pvt. 2 Alfred Hammond and Sp4 Phillip Papagayo were four such citizensoldiers who reported in on their own. They were told to go to Princeville in a 2 ½- ton truck to help evacuate people from their homes. While driving there, the men found the road impassable.

The four Kauai soldiers decided not to go any further and set up a roadblock to turn people back. The winds became progressively worse, eventually making it impossible for them to stay out any longer. They jumped back in their truck and headed for Kilauea Center, a shelter point for families.

On the way back, they picked up people stranded on the roadside and continued on to Kilauea Center.

Pit. Sgt. Daniel G. Peters Jr., who works full-time for the Guard, was told to go to Hanapepe before the Hurricane. There, during the height of the storm, he was told by people that a man was trapped in a house by the rising waters. Wading through chest high waters during the fury of the Hurricane, Peters assisted the man to safety.

On Friday, Nov. 26, three days after the Hurricane, PFC Steven Marnalado was on guard duty at the Whaler’s Cove Restaurant at Poipu Beach, when some kids ran up to him saying their friend had fallen into the water at the nearby sewage treatment plant. Rushing to assist, Marnalado reached the scene to find only the boy’s hand sticking out of the water and muck. Marnalado jumped over the railing and into the water, and pulled the boy to safety.

Other Guardsmen also helped Kauai’s people. SFC Shigeto Takeyama and PFC Alberto Hoopii are credited with rescuing two elderly couples who had their roofs torn off by the storm.

All of these individuals have been recommended for citations.

-By SFC Kin Lo, 117th PAD Writer

– 1982 Winter Pūpūkahi pp. 1

The most challenging event was Hurricane lwa whose destructive winds and ocean surges caused an estimated $234 million in damages to private and public property on Kauai and Oahu. State Civil Defense coordinated both State and Federal resources to support county level requirements.

– 1983 Annual Report pp. 1

On November 23, 1982, Hurricane lwa’s destructive force struck the islands of Oahu and Kauai. Its hurricane winds and powerful ocean surges devastated Kauai and parts of Oahu. People on both islands found themselves without electricity, water, food, clothing and, in many cases, without homes.

Throughout the ordeal, Hawaii National Guardsmen were deeply involved in the effort to mitigate the effects of Hurricane lwa. Long before Hurricane lwa reached the shores of Hawaii, Hawaii Air National Guard radar controllers of the 150th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron were busily providing important hurricane tracking information to State Civil Defense authorities. Since the National Weather Service had lost the services of its Pacific Weather Satellite, the tracking information provided by the 150th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron allowed State Civil Defense officials to make critical decisions to warn the general public. Early warnings enabled the general public to adequately prepare for Hurricane lwa’s impact.

Many Hawaii National Guard personnel responded unselfishly to the call of duty. On Kauai, many Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers reported to their armory to assist various neighborhood communities. Although the contributions of the Army National Guard unit on Kauai speak for themselves, the awards and decorations earned by its soldiers serve to underscore the value of such contributions. For their heroism, three Army National Guard soldiers from Kauai were awarded the Medal for Merit, the highest Hawaii National Guard award. The efforts of the three medalists saved the lives of several Kauai residents. Additionally, eight Army National Guard soldiers from Kauai were awarded the Hawaii National Guard Commendation Medal for their tireless effort during Hurricane Iwa’s passage and during the wake of its destruction.

The Hawaii Air National Guard also contributed significantly to mitigation and relief effort. To support Kauai’s life support requirements, the Hawaii Air National Guard was able to transship on board a C-141B, provided by the Military Airlift Command, critically needed equipment, support technician and supplies to Kauai from distant points throughout the State. Hawaii Air National Guard communication specialists from the 202nd Air Traffic Control Flight on Kauai provided a communication system linking a number of relief activities.

The scope and depth of the Hawaii National Guards involvement in the effort to mitigate the effects of Hurricane Iwa ranged from Waianae to Laie on Oahu to Kilauea and Poipu on Kauai. The Hawaii National Guard was there providing field communications. equipment, security and other disaster relief assistance. From all accounts, more than 330 Hawaii Army and Air National Guard members served on state active duty to provide assistance to communities on Oahu and Kauai

– 1983 Annual Report pp. 14-15

‘lwa’ service awards

Eleven receive honors on Garden Isle

Ten Hawaii Army National Guardsmen from Kauai and one State Department of Defense employee were honored February 13 for their actions when Hurricane lwa struck the Garden Isle last November.

Three of the guardsmen, Capt. Alvin M. Uchida, Pit. Sgt. Daniel G. Peters Jr., and Pvt. I Steven A. Mardonado were presented with the state’s highest military award, the Hawaii National Guard Medal for Merit. The Medal for Merit is only awarded in cases of exceptionally meritorious service.

Receiving the state’s second highest award, the Hawaii National Guard Commendation Medal were: 1st Sgt. Melvin R. Robley, Pit. Sgt. Alberto A.Hoopii, Sgt. 1st Class Shigeta Takayama, Sgts. Lennox F. Camat and Gordon K. Doo, Spec. 4 Phillip P. Papagayo and Pvt. I Alfred L. M. Hammond.

Mrs. Emmaline English, a long-time civilian employee of the HARNG on Kauai was presented with a special state Service award.

A special color guard and the 111th Army Guard Band traveled to Kauai to honor the award winners. The band performed a 30-minute concert beginning at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the Kapaa Armory.

Brig. Gen. Alexis T. Lum, and Kauia State Senator lehua Fernandes Salling presented the awards.

All of the Kauai citizen-soldiers belong to Company B, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry. Kauai is the northern most island in the Hawaiian chain.

During the storm, hundreds of Kauai residents were stranded on roads, trapped in their homes, or forced to evacuate •heir homes because of rising waters and high winds.

The Hurricane struck suddenly on November 23, and telephone lines were down before Kauai Guardsmen could be officially called to State active duty; however, many Guardsmen reported in on their own to offer assistance.

Sgts. Lennox F. Camat and Gordon K. Doo, Spec. 4 Phillip P. Papagayo, and Pvt. I Alfred L. M. Hammond were four such citizen-soldiers who reported in on their own. After reporting in, they were told to go to Princeville in a 2 ½ ton truck to help evacuate people from their homes. While driving there, they soon found the road to be impassable due to downed power lines, fallen trees, and other debris.

The four Kauai soldiers decided not to go any further and set up a roadblock to turn people back. The winds became progressively worse, making it impossible for them to stay out any longer. They jumped back in their truck and headed for Kilauea Center, a shelter point for families. On the way back, they
picked up individuals who were stranded on the roadside and continued on to Kilauea Center.

Upon reaching Kilauea, they found the center heavily damaged so they had to find another shelter. Finding another shelter and situating the people they had picked up along the way, the four citizen-soldiers continued to work throughout the night helping families who were left homeless by the storm.

Pit. Sgt. Daniel G. Peters Jr., who works full-time for the Guard, was told to go to Hanapepe prior to the Hurricane. During the height of the storm. he was told by people that a man was trapped in a house by the rising waters. Wading to the house in chest high waters during the fury of the Hurricane, Peters assisted the man to safety.

On Friday, Nov. 26, three days after the Hurricane hit, Pvt. 1 Steven A. Mardonado was on guard duty at the Whaler’s Cove Restaurant in Poipu Beach when some kids ran up to him saying that their friend had fallen into the water at the sewage treatment plant. Rushing to assist, Mardonado reached the scene to find only the boy’s hand sticking out of the water and muck. Mardonado jumped over the railing, grabbed the victim’s hand, and pulled him to safety.

Sgt. 1st Class Shigeta Takeyama and Pit. Sgt. Alberto A. Hoopii are credited with rescuing two elderly couples who had thier roof torn off by the storm.

1st Sgt. Melvin Robley and DOD civilian employee. Mrs. Emmaline English, worked throughout the storm
and the following day, maintaining vital communications with Capt. Alvin M. Uchida, commander of Company B. who was at the Civil Defense headquarters on Kauai working with civilian civil defense officials.

Gen. Lum commended the eleven individuals honored. “While faced with personal anxieties and family needs, you saw the greater need of the community. You willingly left your homes to get the job done. And no matter what anyone might say, you accomplished your mission,” Lum said. He also thanked the Guard families and employers on Kauai for their support. “The Hawaii Army National Guard would not be the ready force it is today without your backing,” he said. MSgt. Kin Lo

– 1983 Spring Pūpūkahi pp. 5

After the devastation of Hurricane Iwa in November 1982, personneI and generators were deployed to Kauai.

– Five Decades of Service Excellence Hawaii Air National Guard Golden Anniversary 1946-1996 pp. 74

On Nov. 23. 1982, Hawaii was hit by Hurricane lwa and HQ HANG became the control center to coordinate airlift support for relief to the island of Kauai. The HQ HANG staff manned the center on a 24-hour basis for Several days and coordinated HANG and other military services airlift support. By the end of 1982, Col. Richardson was promoted to Brigadier General.

During the hurricane, Kokee AFS remained on the air throughout the storm. Withstanding winds over 100 knots, the buildings buckled under the hurricane force winds, bravo crew under Maj. Myron N. Dobashi’s supervision rode out the storm providing valuable information to the system and the weather bureau. Through the efforts of unit personnel, the station was operational within a week. Two weeks after the Hurricane, the PACAF IG team descended on the unit for an ORI. The 150th requested to be evaluated and came away with an “OUTSTANDING'” rating. TSgt. Clifford Tsuyama was able to establish electrical power and MSgt. Edgar Takabayashi and TSgt. Albert Antonio were able to get the HF/SS8 radio on the air with MSgt. Francis DeCosta at the mike. Contact with the 202nd ATCF the morning after Hurricane lwa was the first and only radio contact with the devastated Island of Kauai.

– Five Decades of Service Excellence Hawaii Air National Guard Golden Anniversary 1946-1996 pp. 31-32