Brigadier General David M. Rodrigues

January 24, 2025

Col. David M. Rodrigues is the commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG). He is responsible for providing command and control over 23 units located on four islands in the State of Hawaii. The HIANG has an authorized strength of over 2,200 personnel.

Rodrigues was born on Aug. 13, 1935 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He received his bachelors in electrical engineering from San Jose state University, San Jose, California. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1973 and Air Command and staff College in 1978.

His military career began when he enlisted in the Hawaii Air National Guard in 1953 as a fire control systems mechanic. His last assignment as an enlisted member was as a master sergeant in charge of the weapons control systems section.

In 1963 he received his commission as a second lieutenant and was assigned to the 154th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as an armament systems officer. His command positions included: commander of the 201st Combat Communications Flight, Kahului, Maui, October 1976 to January 1979; director of logistics, Headquarters, Hawaii Air National Guard (HQ HIANG), 1979-1982 and 1986-1989; director of resources, HQ HIANG, 1982-19861 deputy chief of staff, HQ HIANG, 1989-1991; chief of staff, HQ HIANG, 1991-1993. He was appointed the assistant adjutant general, air, on April 1, 1993 with concurrent assignment as commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard.

Rodrigues’s military awards and decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with eight oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hour glass devices, Air Force Training Ribbon, Hawaii National Guard Service Ribbon with two Kahili devices and the Hawaii National Guard State Active Duty Ribbon.

His civillian job is vice president of operations at Hawaiian Electric Company.

Rodrigues is married to the former Geraldine s. Lopes. They have three children: David A., James M. and Donald B.

Promotion 1993
Retirement 1995

Rodrigues Promoted to Brigadier General

Story and photo by Bonnie Potter-Collins

Rodrigues promoted to brigadier general page 3

PROMOTED — Brig. Gen. David M. Rodrigues is pinned by his wife, Geraldine, and Gov. John Waihee, Nov.18. His promotion was effective Oct. 25

(Pictures from the 1993 November – December Pūpūkahi)

Brig. Gen. David M. Rodrigues received his one-star rank during a pinning ceremony at the State Capitol, Nov. 18. The new general was pinned by Gov. John Waihee and Rodrigues’ wife, Geraldine.

Rodrigues, 58, has served as assistant adjutant general, Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG), since April 1993.

Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, state adjutant general, thanked Rodrigues for his many years of excellent service, which included an outstanding performance following Hurricane Iniki, Sept. 11, 1992.

Waihee said that Rodrigues’ expertise in helping to restore power to Kauai immediately following the hurricane helped make the recovery one of the most successful efforts of its kind.

Rodrigues enlisted in the HIANG as a fire control systems mechanic in 1953, where he rose to the rank of master sergeant. At that time, master sergeant was the highest enlisted rank in the Air Guard. He received a direct commission in 1963 as an armament systems officer.

Rodrigues served with the 154th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base and the 150th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron on Kauai. He also commanded the 201st Combat Communications Flight (now the 292nd Combat Communications Squadron) in Kahului, Maui. In 1979, he was transferred to Headquarters HIANG.

His military awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Organization Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Rodrigues earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from San Jose State University, San Jose, Calif., in 1970. His civilian job is vice president for corporate excellence at Hawaiian Electric Company.

He and his wife live in Mililani. They have three children, David A., James M. and Donald B.
– 1993 November – December Pūpūkahi pp. 3

Hawaii Air Guard Commands Change Hands as Rodrigues Retires

GENERAL FAREWELL — Retiring Brig. Gen. David M. Rodrigues is presented the Legion of Merit by Maj. Gen. Edward V. Richardson, the adjutant general. Rodrigues retires after more than 40 years of service to the Hawaii Air National Guard, the last three as its commander.

(Picture from the 1995 July – September Pūpūkahi)

In August, Brig. Gen. David M. Rodrigues, Hawaii Air National Guard commander, retired after more than 40 years of Guard service.

. . .

Rodrigues also retired from his duties as vice president for corporate excellence for the Hawaiian Electric Company. The general joined the Guard in 1953 and worked his way through the enlisted ranks to senior master sergeant. Rodrigues received his direct commission to second lieutenant in 1963. He served in various communications, electronics, and logistics positions both as an airman and officer before his appointment as Hawaii Air Guard commander in March 1993.
– 1995 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 10