1982 Kalaupapa, Molokai Water Response

Posted on Jan 27, 2025 in 1980's, HING History

Kaupo to Kalaupapa

Guard helps Maui

CHIEF WARRANT Officer Richard Wright, a HARNG helicopter pilot, chats with Kalaupapa resident John Kaona about the lack of water. Wright, along with other HARNG and HANG members, airlifted in fresh water and water pipe after heavy rains caused a breakdown in Kalaupapa's water system. The community's 150 residents and staff were without water for several days.
CHIEF WARRANT Officer Richard Wright, a HARNG helicopter pilot, chats with Kalaupapa resident John Kaona about the lack of water. Wright, along with other HARNG and HANG members, airlifted in fresh water and water pipe after heavy rains caused a breakdown in Kalaupapa’s water system. The community’s 150 residents and staff were without water for several days.
JOINT OPERATION-Master Sgt. Raymond Bermudez, C-7 crew chief, fills HARNG water cans at Hickam. The cans were shuttled back and forth to Kalaupapa. by HANG crews.
JOINT OPERATION-Master Sgt. Raymond Bermudez, C-7 crew chief, fills HARNG water cans at Hickam. The cans were shuttled back and forth to Kalaupapa. by HANG crews.
(Pictures from 1982 Summer Pūpūkahi)

Hawaii Army and Air Guard members went to the aid of Maui County twice this spring.

Early April rains caused heavy flooding on East Maui. An Army Guard helicopter went to help out. Carrying supplies and county workmen into Hana and Kaupo, the helicopter crews played a large part in helping to keep things going in the area cut off by landslides across Hana Highway.

Only a week later, the guard was again called upon; this time to Kalaupapa Settlement on Molokai. Continuing torrential rains washed out its aging fresh-water system. On April 8, when it was certain water tanks would run dry before repairs could be finished, a guard 450-gallon water tank was airlifted in by an Army CH-47 “Chinook” helicopter.

The next day, the Hawaii Air Guard’s C-7 transport plane began a series of trips from Hickam Air Force Base to Kalaupapa carrying fresh water, and hundreds of feet of metal pipe and fittings. An Army Guard OH-58 from Wheeler Air Force Base carried over Capt. Jerry Matsuda, state engineering officer, to survey the site and make a report to Brig. Gen. lshimoto.

The repairs went well and in two days fresh water was again flowing from the mountain streams behind Kalaupapa.

– 1982 Summer Pūpūkahi pp. 2

The Guard also helped solve a paradox at remote Kalaupapa, Molokai. The heavy rains in April washed out the community’s water supply pipeline leaving the residents drenched but without any clean, fresh water. Water tanks were airlifted over by U.S. Army helicopters while Hawaii Air National Guard cargo aircraft brought in fresh water and pipes to repair the system. A potentially bad situation was quickly solved by the Guard’s quick action.

– 1982 Annual Report pp. 14