1994 Bills to Support the Hawaii National Guard

Posted on Mar 7, 2025 in 1990's, HING History

By legislative mandate, the Adjutant General’s interim Task Force on National Guard Recruitment and Retention enabled the State Legislature to pass a bill during the 1994 session that allows Guard members to use the Montgomery G.I. Bill concurrently with the University of Hawaii tuition waiver program. In addition, a state version of the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act was signed into law, extending protection to National Guard members activated on state orders.

– 1994 Annual Report pp. 1

State Legislature passes Hawaii Guard benefit bills Two House bills benefiting the Hawaii National Guard (HING) were passed by the Hawaii State Legislature at the end of the 1994 legislative session.

Gov. John Waihee signed House Bill 2 into law as Act 50, session laws of Hawaii, May 4. Under this act, HING members can utilize tuition waivers with Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits at any University of Hawaii campus. Eligible Guard members can pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees during the academic year (september through May).

Act 50 also provides UH tuition waivers for dependents of HING members killed or permanently and totally disabled while on federal or state active duty, assuring HING members that the educational needs of their dependents will not be forgotten. The waiver for dependents can be used for undergraduate and graduate degrees, and shall not exceed more than five regular academic years.

Senate Bill 2889 passed the legislature and is awaiting the governor’s signature. The bill, which provides a state version of the Federal Soldiers and Sailors Act, will provide HING members significant relief from civil burdens at a time when they are least able to respond. Prior to this bill, Guard members on extended state active duty, as in the case of Hurricane Iniki, were not protected from the enforcement of certain civil liabilities.

The Adjutant General’s Interim Task Force and the HING community suggestion process recommended these bills, which provide incentives to support HING recruiting and retention, and have a positive effect on the morale and image of the Guard.

For more tuition waiver information, contact Maj. Mike Wongat 737-2295 (Army Guard), or Master Sgl Rose Vendiola at 449-7794 (Air Guard).

– 1994 April – May Pūpūkahi pp. 1

WHAT A RELIEF!!-- Gov. John Waihee is joined by state senators and representatives, state Department of Defense staffers and Hawaii National Guard members during the signing of Senate Bill 2889. The new law provides HING members relief from civil liabilities when they are called for state active duty. It is a state version of the Federal Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act.
WHAT A RELIEF!!– Gov. John Waihee is joined by state senators and representatives, state Department of Defense staffers and Hawaii National Guard members during the signing of Senate Bill 2889. The new law provides HING members relief from civil liabilities when they are called for state active duty. It is a state version of the Federal Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act.
(Picture from the 1994 June – July Pūpūkahi)