TASK FORCE KAHANA

Men of the 298th Engineer Detachment and Troop E of the 19th Cavalry got together to form Task Force Kahana as they worked with residents to mprove Kahana Valley.

Thirty-five families live in Kahana Valley. They form a community which has not yet been reached by some modem problems such as juvenile delinquency. The area has been condemned and eventually the 2,000-acre site will become a park possibly a living park, in which the lifestyles of Hawaii at the turn of the century will be recreated, with the park’s residents living the roles of earlier Hawaiians.

The families of Kahana are concerned about their valley and they want to remain there as a part of the park, among the coconut groves, breadfruit, bananas and taro which flourish there. They express their concern in community service. One day each week, Saturday, is community service day and residents of all ages gather to improve Kahana. Their current project is clearing the overgrown coconut grove across thehighway from Kahana Bay.

During HARNG Week, members of each of the families, including Peter Kau, the Valley’s oldest resident, worked from sunrise to sunset with machetes, rakes, pichforks and axes, clearing the underbrush which had encroached upon the grove during the past 20 years. The workers ranged from middle-aged men and matronly women to teenage boys and girls and even a few pre-teens, Undoing the results of two decades is slow work, especially when the work is done by hand.

The adults in this small, closely knit Windward community realize that the way of life they’ve always known, like the coconut grove, is slowly changing. Bobbie Meheula, the coordinator whom Governor Bums has assigned to work with the Kahana families, shares their concern. But with community awareness, help from concerned groups like the Guard, and careful planning by the St.ate, this pocket of Hawaiiana hopes to continue its way of life.

– 1971 Spring The Hawaii Guardsman pp. 9

HARNG Week 1972

Community action program

The Hawaii Army National Guard completed over two dozen community service projects on a weekend in May. The projects were part of Army Guard Week in Hawaii.

One of the Oahu projects involved hosting 48 youngsters from Kalihi Waena School near Kuhio Park Terrace. The boys spent the weekend camping with a unit of the 29th Brigade at Laie. They learned a little about tent pitching, ran through a compass course, walked through a drill-down and did a little hiking and swimming.

Another unit, the 298th Engineers, hosted 28 fatherless boys at their site above Koko Crater. The boys were taken on hikes, built four soapbox racers and heard lectures on drug abuse from a Waikiki Drug Clinic worker.

Over 200 other men from the 298th Field Depot turned out to help the City build a new park at Kualoa across from Chinaman’s Hat Island. The Guardsmen widened the access road to the beach, then went to work clearing the beach area of underbrush.

Other weekend projects included donations of blood by over 150 men, a field trip for 35 immigrant children and a half dozen projects to support the Boy Scouts.

Neighbor island activities included similar projects as well as open houses, air mobility exercises and firepower demonstrations.

– 1972 Summer The Hawaii Guardsman pp. 6-8

Guard supports Waipahu Intermediate proiect

By SP5 Dennis Fujii
PAO, Associate Editor

Members of the Hawaii Army National Guard completed the ground work of the Waipahu Intermediate School’s courtyard beautification project. Men of the 298th Engineer Detachment and the 227th Engineer Company, aided by a land grader, a scoop loader and a power roller, leveled and graded the courtyard of the school.

The beautification project was designed to create an outdoor assembly area, an activity area, an extension of a library reading area, an outdoor eating area, and a recreation area for the children.

“The courtyard beautification involves the Hawaii Army National Guard, various segments of the school and the general community,” said Mr. Stanley T. Seki, principal of Waipahu Intermediate School. “It is so encouraging to see so many different agencies express a feeling of wanting to do something for the children,” commended Seki.

The initial planning began two months ago with Mr. Harvey Wong, a teacher at Waipahu Intermediate. Wong, who conceived the project, was aided by Representative Mitsuo Shito, who coordinated the financing and the services of the Army guardsmen.

“Members of this unit look forward to participating in community projects like this because they can take what they learn from lectures and books and put it to practical use,” said SGT C. David Atkinson, construction foreman for the 298th Engineer Detachment.

SP4 Jasson Kimokeo, power roller operator, remarked. “I really feel proud being able to do something like this for the Community.”

SP4 Kimokeo, and the other members of the 298th Engineer Detachment, all expressed a feeling of satisfaction in participating in this community project.” added Captain Wayne R. Tomoyasu, commander of the 298th Engineer Detachment.

Upon completion oft he grading of the courtyard the Guard will move bleacher stands for the athletic field to the courtyard. The parents. students, an, faculty will then construct planter boxes that will be placed around the bases of trees in the courtyard.

– 1976 March Pūpūkahi pp. 6

298th Engr. assist Manoa school project

by Dennis Fujii
Associate Editor

The Army Guard’s 298th Engineer Detachment recently assisted in a community service project at Manoa Elementary school.

The guardsmen, aided by a land grader and scoop loader, cleared and excavated a strip of land adjacent to the school’s playground. Their purpose was to prepare for the paving of a new road, which would alleviate the hazard of motor vehicles cutting across the school’s playground.

The work by the National Guard was completed in two phases. The second phase involved compacting and leveling gravel for the roadway. Installation of curbing will be accomplished by the Waioli Lions Club and the Association of Parents and Teachers. A commercial road paving company will lay the asphalt in the near future.

Staff Sergeant John Kahalekai, construction foreman for the 298th Engineer Detachment, feels that such projects provide excellent “hands-on” training for the guardsmen. They provide the opportunity to put the information received from lectures and books to practical use.

“We wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this project without the help of the National Guard,” remarked Victor Yamashita, Manoa school principal.

– 1978 June Pūpūkahi pp. 7

The 298th Engineer Detachment, assisted by other units in the command, participated in the state-sponsored Mokauea Island Development Project during April and May.

– 1979 Annual Report pp. 8

Army guard excavates Mokauea island pond

by Dennis Y. Fujii
Editor

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Members of the Hawaii Army National Guard, aided by heavy construction equipment, recently continued with the excavatiort of a two-acre fish pond on Mokauea Island in Keehi Lagoon.

The Hawaii Army National Guard’s participation in this community service project was part of a Total Army effort to assist the Moakuea Fishermen’s Association in the restoration of their coastal fishing village off Sand Island.

Army Guardsmen of the 298th Engineer Detachment, the 829th Maintenance Company and the 292nd Supply and Service Company began to work as they continued to dig through the coral reef. Army National Guard scoop loaders and a rock drill were utilized, A bulldozer from the Army’s 65th Engineer Battalion from Schofield was also used by the Army Guardsmen.

The National Guard and Army equipment was moved out to the island on a Landing Craft Utility vessel provided by the Army’s 5th Transportation Company.

In April, Governor George R. Ariyoshi, Brigadier General John E. Aiona, Jr., commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard, and other military dignitaries attended the official groundbreaking ceremony. Following the ceremony, members of the Army Reserve’s Engineer battalion began removing debris and soil down to the coral level.

The Hawaii Army National Guard’s participation in this community service project will benefit the community culturally, but it also provides the guard members with valuable “hands-on” training.

– 1979 June Pūpūkahi pp. 6

National Guard Bureau Superior Unit Award

298th Engineer Detachment

– 1981 Annual Report pp. 39

298th Engineers “Superior’ Engineers Capture HARNG Award

The 298th Engineer Detachment recently received the Army National Guard Superior Unit Award. The award was presented to Capt. Richard E. McCabe, commanding officer, by Gen. Alexis T. Lum, commander, Hawaii Army National Guard.

The selection came after the engineers attained overall rating of “superior” during training year 1980 in several areas: maintaining a monthly average assigned strength of 95 percent throughout the year; having 95 percent of the assigned strength MOS qualified; maintaining a monthly average attendance of 93 percent assigned strength, to include annual training; achieving a training readiness condition rating not lower than C-2 and attaining an overall rating of satisfactory during an annual general inspection.

Speaking of the award, Lum said, “It has been several years since any HARNG unit was selected for meeting all the prerequisites worthy of this award. It is hoped that this will motivate our other units to strive and improve their performance so they can qualify for selection next year.”

Lum added, “It is indicative of the hard work and resourcefulness of the detachment’s officers and NCO’s which made this possible.” He also expressed his appreciation for a job well done.

– 1981 Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 5

DOD launches new parks project

The Hawaii Army National Guard has begun a pilot community service project which its author, U.S. Sen. Spark M. Matsunaga, hopes will serve “as a model for a national program” designed to rehabilitate the country’s parks and other recreational areas.

The program, entitled “The Hawaii Environmental Defense Project,” was announced jointly by Matsunaga and Gov. George R. Ariyoshi on September 24 at a special news conference attended by Maj. Gen. Valentine A. Siefermann, commander of the Hawaii National Guard and state adjutant general, and Brig. Gen. Walter Tagawa, commander of the U.S. Army Reserve in Hawaii.

At the news conference Matsunaga credited Ariyoshi for “the visionary leadership” he displayed by personally “taking charge and mobilizing the skills and resources” of his administration and converting an idea into reality.

Matsunaga, who served in World War II as a member of the 100th Infantry Battalion, proposed that Reserve and National Guard units take on environmental defense missions in state and national parks nationwide.

“Our parks constitute a treasured national heritage. They are deteriorating,” Matsunaga said. “They need upgraded roads, campgrounds, trails, and a host of other defense activities, for which provisions have not been made.

“Indeed, recent budget cuts that include elimination of such parkoriented programs as the Young Adult Conservation Corps and the Youth Conservation Corps, spell even darker days for our parks.”

The first phase, involving Hawaii Army National Guard engineers, will utilize bulldozers and scoop loaders to clear an area within Diamond Head Monument Park.

For many people, Diamond Head symbolizes Hawaii. But for many years before it was converted to a state park, Diamond Head crater- an extinct volcano- belonged to the Hawaii National Guard and the U.S. Army.

Abandoned bunkers can be found on all sides of the bowl-shaped crater which also housed U.S. Army World War II coastal artillery cannons.

For many years, Hawaii Army National Guard training was conducted in the crater and one of the first tasks of the engineers from the 227th Engineer Company and the 298th Engineer Detachment was to raze an unused 300-yard rifle range butte.

The Hawaii Army National Guard’s 227th Engineering Company, commanded by Capt. Gregory Burgess, and the 29-Sth Engineer Detachment, commanded by Capt. Richard McCabe, also will be grading the lookout area near the tunnel entrance to the inside of Diamond Head crater.

In addition, Guard engineers will construct a barrier along the edge of the crater which is heavily visited by tourists since it provides a panoramic view of east Honolulu. This project is expected to be completed soon.

A third National Guard project will involve the grading of the roadways inside the crater.

Ariyoshi said the Guard will integrate “maintenance exercises within their normal training activities and the projects will be designed to enhance the military occupational skills of the individuals assigned.”

The governor emphasized that this program is not intended to replace projects which normally would be formed by private enterprise.

Matsunaga and Ariyoshi acknowledged that the Hawaii Environmental Defense Project is an experimental one.

“As with any innovative effort, many of the precise procedures will be worked out as we move forward. But I am convinced that utilizing the Guard and Reserves in beneficial and constructive projects for the good of all society will certainly be a worthwhile effort,” Ariyoshi said.

“I am convinced, too, that if our program succeeds here, we will have established a pattern for the entire nation.”

Matsunaga added: “It is my expectation that the Hawaii Environmental Defense Project will serve as a model for the nation, and I intend to support it on the national level in every way I can.”

-Spec. S Dennis Fujii
117th Public Affairs Detachment

– 1981 Winter Pūpūkahi pp. 5

The 298th Engineer Detachment performed their annual training at Camp Howze in the Republic of Korea during April 27 – May 11, 1985.

– 1985 Annual Report pp. 8

298th Engineers train in Korea

By Capt. Bud Bowles

Sixty-five members of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 298th Engineer Detachment and their Army advisor recently returned from an annual training that they’ll never forget at a post 10 minutes from the North Korean Border.

The structural engineer unit trained with the Regular Army’s Third Brigade at Camp Howse and the 2nd Engineer Battalion (Combat) at Camp Giant, Korea, just 13 kilometers from the North Korean border. The Third Brigade is the furthest frontline brigade in the U.S. Army. They are responsible for, the security of the United Nations delegation in Panmunjon and the American sector of the Demilitarized Zone.

During their two weeks the carpenters, plumbers, masons, electricians and other craftsmen built a 30-foot by 50-foot day room at Camp Giant, a 35-foot rappelling tower at another nearby post (Rec. Center 4), and rebuilt concrete foundations for petroleum storage tanks.

For days the unit worked against the clock to complete the projects in their two-week time frame . For at least four days they worked from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., aided at night by spotlights provided by the Regular Army.

In the end, there were some big accomplishments, and some disappointments. A guard shack started at the highest point in the Western Corridor had to be abandoned because the heavy rains made it impossible to move the equipment to the site, then washed out the wooden forms constructed for the foundation. But the day room was completed, and the 35-foot rappelling tower was constructed with no time to spare.

“It was good training for everybody,” summarized Staff Sgt. Asuncion. “Times were hard and everybody pulled together to get the job done. The second week we worked at night for the entire week. The environment of working in a foreign country made it both challenging and exciting. And now we appreciate Hawaii so much more.”

– 1985 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 3

Environmental enhancement project initiated

Seventy members of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s two engineer units spent a weekend improving Hawaii’s parks in Kona and Mauna Kea on the Big Island and Kalapapa on Molokai.

The members of the 298th Engineer Detachment and the 227th Engineer Company, both headquartered in Pearl City, participated in the Environmental Enhancement Project. The $400,000 federal pilot program involves four states where National Guard soldiers were used to provide park maintenance. Hawaii was allocated $100,000 for the project that was initiated by Sen. Spark Matsunaga.

At Mauna Kea State Park on the Big Island, 16 members of the 298th Engineer Detachment spent their Aug. 24-25 weekend drill on the slopes of the volcano Mauna Kea building campsites used by campers and hunters.

“The sites are two of four campsites that are located approximately one day’s hike apart,” said Warrant Officer Melvin K. Chock, officer in charge of the project. “The unit was given a list of projects that we could do. We chose building the campsites because we wanted to build something lasting that would benefit persons who used the park.”

The Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers built grills and fireplaces at the two campsites.

More than 5,000 lbs. of men and equipment had to be trucked or helicoptered into the remote campsites that are located at the summit of the extinct volcano .

. . . 5,000 lbs. of men and equipment trucked or helicoptered in to remote campsites.

“Wow, you really get tired up here,” said Spec.4 Lawrence Genobia after carrying several 80 lb. concrete bags at the high altitude campsite, 7,500 feet above sea level.

In Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, ten members of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 227th Engineer Company spent three days reinforcing the rock barricade at the Old Kona Airport State Park.

The soldiers used two scoop loaders, a 10-ton tractor truck and a 5-ton dump truck to transport boulders from other parts of the area to the retaining wall.

“This new wall will keep the four wheel drive vehicles from going onto the beach. The sunbathers were complaining about the presence of the vehicles,” said “Ulu” LuVonne Riveira, caretaker of the park.

“We wouldn’t have been able to do these projects without the Hawaii Army National Guard,” said George Kanemoto, maintenance supervisor for state parks on the Big Island. “This assistance is a big help to us.”

“We wouldn’t have been able to do these projects without them.”

Forty-four combat engineers of the 227th Engineer Company were deployed to Molokai’s Kalapapa village Aug. 24-25, the site of Hansen’s disease settlement, to erect wire fencing to protect several cemeteries from grazing animals.

The soldiers also erected fencing around an old Hawaiian stone wall located next to Father Damien’s original chapel. The wall was knocked down over the years by horses, cattle and wild pigs.

Father Damien was the Belgium priest who cared for the Hansen disease patients abando·ned on Molokai during the 1800s. Kalapapa today is a National Historic Park.

. . . the friendly people of the friendly isle, Molokai.

Molokai’s nickname is the “Friendly Isle” and the residents of Kala papa were no different. The local Lions club gave their leftover chicken, potato salad and rice to the engineers after their huli huli chicken sale. On Sunday, as the combat engineers were winding down and preparing for their return trip to Honolulu, residents of Kalapapa gathered at the community center pavilion and hosted a potluck luncheon for the Hawaii National Army Guard engineers in appreciation for their work to preserve the historic sites on the remote peninsula

– 1985 July September Pūpūkahi pp. 3

The 227th Engineer Company and the 298th Engineer Detachment provided engineer support for the Congressional Environmental Enhancement Program on the islands of Oahu and Kauai during the month of September 1986.

– 1986 Annual Report pp. 8

Hawaii’s environment enhanced by engineers

Members of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 298th Engineer Detachment and 227th Engineer Company have recently completed six environmental enhancement projects. Two projects were at the Arizona Memorial on Oahu and four were in the forest of Kauai.

The 1986 Environmental Enhancement Program for Hawaii was allocated $50,000 this year. The program was first conceived in 1981 by U.S. Senator Spark Matsunaga. Last year Hawaii received over $60,000 for six projects on four islands.

The engineering units, both located in Waiawa, had been working on the projects for five weekends, from August through October.

On Oahu, 28 members of the 298th Engineer Detachment dug 800 feet of trench and buried underground ducts for power cables, refurbished an existing concrete slab for additional parking and built a ramp to the same parking lot at the Arizona Memorial.

“The new parking lot looks good and the training was good for our people,” said Sgt. Alvin Bungat, training NCO for the 298th. “Everyone was able work in a variety of areas .. .from the use of fixtures, plumbing, earth moving, structures, cutting plates, and welding .. .it was good for everybody.”

On Kauai, 105 members of the 227th Engineer Company worked in the central mountainous area of the Puu Ka Pele and Kawaikoi Forest Reserves.

In Puu Ka Pele, part of the crew cleared and reconstructed a section of the Koiae Canyon hiking trail that was closed since Hurricane lwa in 1982. They also cleared an area to be used as a helicopter landing/ evacuation zone.

Other members demolished and cleared an old abandoned ditchman’s house along the Kawaikoi Stream and constructed a footbridge for hikers across the tributary of the stream.

This on going program is a continuing success story of blending Army Guard training exercises with the desperately needed maintenance of deteriorating parks, hiking trails, camping grounds and related activities.

– 1986 October – December Pūpūkahi pp. 5

The 227th Engineer Company and the 298th Engineer Detachment provided engineer support for the Congressional Environmental Enhancement Program on the islands of Kauai and Oahu in August and September 1987.

– 1987 Annual Report pp. 8

Army Guard Engineers enhance Kauai and the Arizona Memorial

The Hawaii Army National Guard’s 227th Engineer Company (227th Engr. Co.) and 298th Engineer Detachment (298th Engr. Det.) provided Hawaii with $40,000 of major improvements as part of the environmental enhancement project conceived by U.S. Senator Spark Matsunaga.

Eighteen members of the 227th Engr. Co. flew in on September 14 a an advance party to survey the area and begin work on two park trails and to help with improvements in the Kekaha Game reserve.

The main body of members arrived three day later to begin work the next morning in Hanalei and Kekaha.

By Saturday they had improved over 4 miles of trails, cleared several large area of land for planting, built several enclosures, and given themselves valuable training.

The projects provide good training and also save the taxpayers thousands of dollars.

“It would take us weeks to do what the engineers can do in two days with their men and equipment. We hope they help us out next year,” said Alvin M. Kyono, forester with the Department of Land and Natural Resource.

Kyono has five foresters working on Kauai with the responsibility of maintaining 70 miles of road, about 70 miles of trail, and two dozen picnic sites.

Perhaps the most breathtaking of improvement projects was the Nualolo Cliff trail. The 2-mile stretch of trail was at the end of a site 2,000 feet above sea level which provided a panoramic view of the Napali coast. Nine soldiers working on the trail were flown onto a ledge for four days and spent their time clearing the trail, enlarging foot paths, digging steps. and cutting away brush. What was estimated to have taken 4 days was done in 2 1/2 days

“It was a lot of digging,” said Spec. 4 Roy Naki, of Waianae, also a guidon bearer and M-60 machine gunner with the unit. “I enjoyed the thrill of working that high up. It was a good change of scenery,” said Pfc. Jack Esprecion.

The historic Okolehau Trail was restored by another team working in Hanalei. The trail began after a steep twenty minute mile walk up a dirt road. It had been overgrown with trees and tropical plants. Rangers found the trail. and marked it with ribbons for two miles. Twenty engineers using chain saws, machetes and picks worked for two days clearing the trail overlooking the taro patches of Hanalei up to Halelia Ridgetop .

In Kekaha two areas were enclosed with wire fences. The enclosures allow for rare plants to be grown without interference from grazing wildlife. Two heavy equipment engineers cleared brush with a sled attachment hooked to a bulldozer in a 500 acre parcel in Kekaha Game Management area. Sections were cleared so that good seed grass can be planted for birds and for animals to walk over unobstructed.

“This training is great,” said Sgt. 1st Class Paul Kahunahana of Pearl City, who is a maintenance technician for the engineers. “It’s good to get away from the norm, and break into a different environment. It’s an added bonus when you can do something good for the community”

“It benefits us a lot to have the Guard here.” Ralph Daehler, forestry manager for Kauai District, state Department of Land and Natural Rewurces said . “You can definitely get more done .”

On Oahu, at the Arizona Memorial Visitor Center. the 298th Engr. Det. was busy enhancing the grounds area. Twenty unit members took part in two major projects.

In a period of three weekends, the engineer refurbished the medial strip and islands at the entrance to the center. They cleared and replaced the soil with a new sprinkler system, fertilizer, top oil, and foliage. In addition, 10-12 foot leafy Wilewile trees were cut down and dug out. The trees were replaced with five coconut palm, which require less grounds maintenance.

Chief Warrant Office Melvin Chock said, “The projects not only provide good training, but save the taxpayers thousands of dollars in much needed improvements.”

Story by Capt. Bud Bowles and Staff Sgt. Stephen M. Lum 117th Public Affairs detachment Photos by members of the 117th Public Affairs Detachment

– 1987 October – December Pūpūkahi pp. 6-7

Hawaii’s environment enhanced

For the fourth consecutive year. Hawaii Army National Guard units safeguarded Hawaii’s environment, enhanced the surroundings of a revered national memorial and insured the safety of visitors from around the world. These accomplishments were all part of the Army Guard’s annual Environmental Enhancement Projects. Mandated by Congress. a result of the urging of U.S. Senator Spark Matsunaga, these projects benefit Federal and State parks and forestries while providing practical training for Guard personnel.

Spearheaded by the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 227th Engineer Company from the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) and the 298th Engineer Detachment from the Troop Command, the Guard safeguarded Hawaii flora at Kaena Point, Oahu and upgraded facilities at the U.S. S. Arizona Memorial shoreside facility at Pearl Harbor.

Thirty-seven Hawai Guard soldiers from the 298th Engineer Detachment expended 1,178 man hours at the Arizona Memorial, constructing and installing a parking lot gate, constructing a bulk storage area, installing a sprinkler system, renovating a curator’s room, positioning solid waste containers and clearing and grubbing the Memorial’s parking lot area. Cost of the materials invested into the projects was $33,169.90.

“The Hawaii Army Guard’s participation is real good. They’ve accomplished a lot. We have an excellent relationship with the Army Guard,” said Susan McGill, Chief of Maintenance at the Arizona Memorial.

“Repeat visitors can see the difference in the facilities because of theHawaii Army National Guard’s efforts,” continued McGill. “Because of those efforts. the Guard saved the taxpayers $35- $40,000 this year. Some of these projects have been on the waiting list for four or more years. In fact, because of budget considerations, some of these projects would not have been done.”

The second project took place at Kaena, Oahu. Kaena is a rugged wilderness area on the western tip of Oahu. It is the last wild stretch of coastline on the island. The Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve, which lies within the Kaena Point State Park, occupies 12 acres which have historic.ally been used for fishing, opihi picking and recreation. These uses did little to disturb the natural surroundings, but this, according to the State’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife, is no longer the case. Off-road vehicles, such as dirt bikes and three and four wheel vehicles, have increased in number over the last few years, causing a great deal of damage to the area’s sole road and the surrounding terrain and vegetation.

Answering a plea for assistance from the State’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the Hawaii Army National Guard tasked the 227th Engineer Company with the mission to build and install a vandal-resistant gate that will restrict access to motorized vehicles, including motorcycles, but allow hikers and dismounted bicycle riders to pass through.

“The Hawaii Army National Guard was extremely helpful, Capt. Richard Young (227th commander) was real enthusiastic. The project represented the highest quality in terms of environmental protection. Conservative savings to the taxpayer is approximately $25,000,” said David G. Smith, Natural Area Biologist with the State’s Natural Area Reserves System, Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Ninety-five Hawaii National Guard soldiers from the 227th Engineer Company expended 1,100 man hours in site preparation, planning, construction, transportation and installation of the vandal-resistant gate. Their task presented many difficult challenges. The gate had to present a formidable obstacle to the cutting torches of vandals, its posts would have to be strong enough to prevent being cut or winched out of the ground, its hinges would have to be strong enough to discourage vandals and yet be capable of inexpensive repair. Added to all these structural requirements was its location. The gate would have to be transported and installed within a remote area.

“Many of the troops come from the Waianae area, so it makes the troops feel good to be building something that’s going to benefit their kids, themselves and people in general. It also makes them feel good to see the results of their work,” said Young. “We also benefitted by utilizing our military engineering skills. Specifically, this was our first field opportunity to operate the FLU-419, a small unit excavator. It worked real well in the remote Kaena Point area.”

The project’s approximate material costs were $3,000.

By September 11, the 227th Hawaii Army National Guard engineers successfully accomplished their mission.

By Capt. Gary Tsuji, HIARNG

Engineers complete two environmental projects

By Capt. Curtis H. Matsushige

In 1984, Pele let down a strand of her hair, covering part of Mauna Loa’s Tree Planting Road with rough ‘a’a lava. Seven years later, the 227th Engineer Company was called upon to reconnect the road which had been separated in two by the goddess’ once-fiery locks.

“The significance of Tree Planting Road is that it connects Saddle Road and Stainback Highway a paved road on the higher slopes of Mauna Loa,” said Capt. Arthur J. Logan, company commander. “Without this access road, the hunters and forestry people would have to travel to Hilo to get on Stainback Highway.” According to Rodney Oshiro, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) forester, “The National Guard engineers are doing a job we haven’t had time and equipment to address.”

Road construction began about 2 1/2 miles in from Saddle Road, where the access road was met by a 20-foot wall of lava. Staff Sgt. Alton N. Lalawai, a heavy equipment squad leader and 27-ton D7G bulldozer operator, carved a “V” into the lava to get atop the flow. (The crumbly nature of ‘a’a lava precluded the use of eJfplosives, according to the unit’s maintenance officer, Warrant Officer Paul N. Kahunahana.) Lalawai then scraped off the loose surface lava and shoveled the rubble over the side to create a ramp up from the road. By the end of the day, Spec. David K. Fuller was able to drive a second bulldozer up the ramp onto the crusty rock.

Upon visiting the site two days later, Logan was surprised at the progress the engineers had made after all, the project had been estimated to take eight days. Working in tandem, the team of Lalawai and Fuller had rough cut a .9 mile road over jagged lava in two days. “They are doing a fabulous job,” said an amazed Logan. Initially skeptical on how well the bulldozers would perform on the lava, DLNR’s Oshiro was equally impressed with the outcome. When asked to respond to their comments, Lalawai said, “We don’t talk much, but we do the job.”

Back on the island of Oahu, thirty members of the 298th Engineer Detachment took on the task of replacing worn playground equipment at the Honolulu Stadium Park.

Located in a high-density residential area, the Honolulu Stadium Park is popular with residents of all ages. The original playground equipment, erected when the park was built ten years ago, had become worn from heavy use.

Under a scorching Hawaiian sun, the soldiers began by fencing off the work site and removing the dilapidated playground equipment. They then installed new, prefabricated equipment and additional sand to make the “tot lot” safer for its young users.

And although the park users will be the primary beneficiaries of the project, the engineers also gained something from the experience. As the project neared completion, some soldiers brought their children to play on the new equipment. Supervisor Sgt. Kenneth K. Kaaina said, “The guys really got into it.”

“It felt good doing something in the community,” said Kaaina. “The neighbors even brought sodas for us.”

– 1991 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 8

The 298th Engineer Detachment traveled to Panama in April, as part of a humanitarian assistance/civil action exercise “Nuevos Horizontes (new horizons) ’96 – Panama” to build foundations for two classroom buildings and a medical clinic.

– 1996 Annual Report pp. 14

Hawaii Army Guard engineers build facilities in Panama

By Stephen M. Lum

Forty-one soldiers from the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 298th Engineer Detachment spent two weeks in April building better relations with our Latin American neighbors in Panama. The Diamond Head-based engineers assisted in the construction of two schools as part of the humanitarian assistance/civil action exercise “Nuevos Horizontes ’96 – Panama” or “new horizons.”

Hawaii Army Guard engineers worked in humid 90 degree weather to build a new school in La Gloria, a remote village northeast of the Panama Canal, in the Bocas Del Toro province. The vertical engineering projects (buildings are vertical verses roads and bridges, which are classified as horizontal engineering) was one of nine schools and medical clinics being built or repaired in the region.

The 298th Engineers, whose mission is the provide facilities engineering at fixed installations and to be able to provide organizational maintenance of organic equipment, deployed without their heavy equipment. Personnel include carpenters, masons, electricians, plumbers, heavy equipment operators, drivers, and mechanics.

Good construction starts with a solid foundation and the Hawaii Guard engineers were tasked with accomplishing that task by laying the concrete slab and tile.

The heavy equipment operators and drivers were kept busy hauling gravel, grating the grounds, and mixing concrete. The gravel was used to back fill (level) the frame the carpenters laid for the foundation of the new Bella Vista School. The electricians and plumbers cross trained with carpenters and masons to complete the laying of the concrete slab.

“We were joined everyday at the job site by a medic ( who could speak Spanish) and three men from the village,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Funtanilla, 298th training NCO. “The medic made sure we did not suffer from heat exhaustion or sunburn. They encouraged us to wear hats and sunscreen, drink lots of water, take breaks, and to stay in the shade whenever possible. Camouflage pattern scarfs were worn by many to shade their necks from the burning sun rays of the Panamanian skies.”

The three local villagers worked side by side with the Hawaii Guard carpenters and masons, hauling lumber and pounding nails.

The 298th Engineers were not required to bring any heavy equipment, but the rebar bender they decided to bring proved invaluable when building the rebar frames of the 114 by 56 foot concrete slabs.

Everyday after school at noon, about 12 children would hang out at the job site. According to Funtanilla, the engineers would take their noon lunch break and often times they’d end up giving some of their lunch away to the kids.

Evening rains slowed the drying of the concrete,” said Funtanilla, “so the North Dakota Army Guard project officer decided to fly us to a second location to lay the foundation for the Valle Risco School.” Sixteen soldiers were rotated in and out for two days, flying via CH-4 7 Chinook helicopter. The Hawaii engineers flew over with needed construction supplies and personnel to help the Waco, Texas, engineers lay a concrete slab.

The rain delayed concrete setting prevented the 298th from laying tiles, but the Hawaii engineers kept productive by preparing the Bella Vista site for the next engineer team. They stacking concrete tiles at staging areas on the slab.

“We spent our evenings cooling off by taking three to four showers,” said Funtanilla, “until we discovered the pool.”

“A couple of the guys brought ukuleles,” said Sgt. Eugenia S. Gansit, “and our hooches became the entertainment capital of the engineering encampment, as troops from the other states joined us for after hours relaxation.”

The base camp had the usual video and game room for after hours amusement, but the live music really bonded the troops,” added Funtanilla.

Before they left. La Gloria, the engineers distributed 50 stuffed animals, donated by Spc. Michelle T. Pangelinan, to the local kids. Pangelinan, a University of Hawaii student, was not able join the deployment team because of school. The stuffed toys, all her own, were accumulated over the years.

Also, Sgt. Gansit, one of two Hawaii Guard females to deploy, gathered the uneaten MRE (Meals-Ready-to-Eat) food packets and left them with a neighboring family before the Hawaii Army Guard engineers returned home, April 21.

Nuevos Horizontes, which began in January, will continue through June. National Guard and other reserve component personnel from 20 states and U.S. territories are rotating through Panama every 15 days. More than 6,000 U.S. military personnel will participate in the exercise over a six-month period. Nuevos Horizontes is a peacetime exercise designed to provide training opportunities to reserve components, while promoting continued good relations between the United States and Latin America. The exercise objectives are to build new roads, bridges, schools and medical clinics, and drill fresh water wells. Structures are being built to meet more stringent building standards and to withstand the harsh tropical environment.

Nuevos Horizontes ’96 is the latest of a series of reserve component engineering exercises that have taken place in Latin America. The exercise is at the invitation of the Panamanian government and is sponsored by U.S. Southern Command.

– 1996 April – May Pūpūkahi pp. 4

298th Engineer Detachment build up Panama

The 298th Engineer Detachment traveled to Panama in April to build foundations for two classroom buildings, and performed so well that they were ahead of the schedule established for them by the local command. The soldiers of the unit were excited by the chance to not only “show off” their skills, but to construct some facilities which will serve the people of Panama long after they have departed for home. I’m sure that some of the soldiers of the 298th would like to return to Panama someday to see how “their” schoolhouse has helped educate the children of that community.

– 1996 April – May Pūpūkahi pp. 6

On Maui, the 298th Engineer Detachment and the 227th Engineer Company planned to Hawaii Army National Guard combine their efforts to construct roads for the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL). The 11-mile road, planned for FY 98, will connect the Kahikinui Homestead to the Pi’ilani Highway.

– 1997 Annual Report pp. 17

Commmand Notes

There is a very exciting initiative that is currently in the planning stages that will have a positive impact for a group of native Hawaiians on Maui. Working with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 227th Engineer Company and 298th Engineering Detachment, will help construct an access road to the Kahikinui native Hawaiian village. The construction project is scheduled to begin in April and will provide realistic training for our people. The project is sanctioned by the National Guard Bureau under the provisions of the mission essential task list. We’ll have more on this story in future issues of pupukahi.

– 1997 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 2

Operation Kahikinui highlights summer engineer projects

Army Guard builds for better tomorrow

By Capt. G. Richard Shuman and Sgt. 1st Class Stephen M. Lum

Hawaii and Oregon Army National Guard engineers made home improvements from Honolulu to Hilo this summer. Guard soldiers saved taxpayers thousands of dollars while practicing their military missions.

More than 30 soldiers from the 298th Engineer Detachment and 227th Engineer Company (Combat), spent eight weeks to construct an 11 mile road in southern Maui in Operation Kahikinui .

The operation is in support of the pilot project in the Department of Hawaiian Home Land’s (DHHL) Kuleana Homestead Program.

Three teams, comprised of 12 to 14 soldiers flown in by Hawaii Army Guard CH-47D Chinook helicopters, worked in cooperation with the DHHL and Ka Ohana O’ Kahikinui, a community based native Hawaiian organization. Hawaii Guard engineers used heavy earth moving equipment to build semi-improved, unpaved roads for Hawaiian homesteaders who plan to build a native Hawaiian community in the remote area.

More than 20 vehicles, from bulldozers, scoop leaders and rollers to an ambulance were at the disposal of the engineering teams. The soldiers were in a remote area, so everything from food and water to fuel and equipment repair were needed on location. Mechanics were kept busy replacing tires ripped up by the craggy lava rock, while the medic, fortunately, was limited to dispensing aspirin and cold tablets. “We work from daybreak to sunset,” said Staff Sgt. Daryl S. Correa, “only taking breaks for lunch or when the rain was too heavy to work safely.”

Construction of the roads provided the Hawaii Guard soldiers with practical, on-the-job training, while benefiting the Kahikinui community. The mission was authorized by the National Guard Bureau under provisions that allow Guard soldiers to perform civil operations that also meet Federal training requirements. They built a road from the Piilani Highway, in southern Maui, to the Kahilrinui project site on the leeward slopes of Haleakala.

”When you see the guys coming in camouflage uniform,” said “Mo” Moler to other Ka Ohana O Kahikinui members. “they’re not coming to kick us out. They’re coming to help us.”

The Guard engineers were welcomed like part of Ka Ohana (the family), occasionally joining the homesteaders in a pot of homemade Portuguese bean soup. One of the youngsters hanging out at the site was “adopted” by the engineering crew.

Kuleana Homestead Program offers land and housing opportunities for beneficiaries who are willing to accept unimproved lots. The program’s goal is the creation of new, self-sufficient contemporary Hawaiian communities.

“Up to 125 families will live on 10- to 20-acre parcels at Kahikinui,” said Ric Arakaki, project coordinator from Hawaiian Home Lands, “and the ones that are here now appreciate everything the Hawaii Guard is doing to make their way of life a reality.”

On Oahu, with help from the 442nd Engineer Detachment from Camp Rilea, Ore., projects at Diamond Head and Barbers Point Naval Air Station were completed in July.

Heavy equipment operators took two days to level three old administration buildings fronting the new Kapiolani Community College. The structures, built for the US Army in the early 1900s, were beyond economical restoration, becoming a safety hazard and an eyesore. The same team was in the crater cutting fire breaks and drainage pits, while a second team was reconfiguring rooms for the Barber’s Youth Challenge Program. The 442nd took less than two weeks to convert an open room into four functional classrooms. The classrooms, also used by a local college for on base college course instruction, replace rented portable classrooms.

“We enjoyed our two weeks in paradise,” said Capt. Frank Flux, 442th commander, “and we’re always glad to help our Guard community.”

In Hilo, Hawaii, at the headquarters of the Army Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, engineers were busy with Keaukaha Military Reservation renovations. Missions for the soldiers from the 298th Engineer Detachment included masonry, plumbing, electrical and carpentry.

At the Combined Support Maintenance Shop #2, masons built a concrete pad for hazardous materials storage and a backfill sewer line trench. The engineers got down and dirty renovating the Hilo armory’s kitchen, latrines and campsite.

Carpenters and electricians rebuilt the kitchen area and replaced the electrical work of the mess hall. Plumbers replaced sinks, urinals and the water heaters in latrines and campsite. The electricians completed the rewiring of the three buildings not finished during last year’s annual training.

– 1997 Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 1 & 3

The 298th Engineer Detachment was actively involved in numerous community improvement projects throughout FY99. The unit soldiers joined 35 volunteers of the Molokai community to begin construction of a pavilion arid restroom

– 1999 Annual Report pp. 13

Engineers help Molokai homesteaders construct new community center

By Spc. Wendy M. Hirasa

The crowd gathered around Aunty Mokuilima at historical Ki’owea Beach Park, Molokai. With heads bowed, she said a prayer to bless the land. Their dream was now becoming a reality.

The 298th Engineer Detachment of the Hawaii Army National Guard arrived early Saturday morning, in January, to the welcoming arms of Kalama’ula homesteaders. Forty Hawaii Guard soldiers joined 35 volunteers of the community to begin construction on the Ki’owea Park Renovation Project at Kalama’ula homestead.

Historical site to be restored

The pavilions will be nestled among the 1,000 coconut trees planted by the soldiers of King Kamehameha V. “It has been ten years to get this far and we want you to know that we appreciate the National Guard coming,” said Nani G. Brandt, former commissioner of the Department of the Hawaiian Home Lands. She has lived on homestead land for 36 years.

Phase I includes construction of the secondary pavilion and a bathroom. The project was completed in April with the continued assistance of a team of 298th Engineers returning to Molokai over three months.

“The support of the National Guard is one of the key reasons this project is a reality,” said Gregory G. Helm Sr., Hawaiian Home Lands-Molokai district supervisor. “They are not only helping to build the facilities but also saving the homesteaders’ money to complete other community projects.”

There are more than 2,000 Hawaiians living in homesteads on Molokai. For Glen Borden, a homesteader all his life, the wait is over. He had a stroke a year ago but made sure he was present to see the start of Phase I. “Nothing would have kept me away,” said Borden.

Ki’owea Park, a five-acre park, is the first Hawaiian homestead land in the state.

“A variety of community activities such as luaus, family reunions and Kuhio Day festivities are celebrated at Ki’owea. The original facilities included a little restroom and pavilion,” said Helm. “These facilities deteriorated over the years so current use of the park by the community was severely limited.”

University students design complex

University of Hawaii architecturaI students came up with a conceptual plan that gave us the opportunity to get started on this project, said Helm.

Construction begins

Some of the foundation from the old pavilion was salvaged and the balance was formed. The columns were also formed and rebar was laid during the first weekend. Over the drills throughout June, the plumbing was laid and concrete poured, followed by laying of tiles, roof building and stringing of electrical wiring and fixtures.

“Doing a job like this, helping the community help itself,” said Spc. Jesse M. Liu, a plumber from Wailua, “gives us more incentive to do the project. It benefits the people now and in the future.”

The next project on the homesteaders’ wish list is the main pavilion, a parking lot and a kitchen and hopes that Hawaii Guard engineer will be back, too.

In 1997, the 298th Engineers, along with the 227th Engineer Company, cut 11-miles of road in the hills of Maui’s Kahikinui homestead.

Engineers to train in Europe

On the horizon for the 55-member detachment, commanded by Capt. Stuart J. Tomasa, is a construction job in Germany.

The engineer detachment, who’s mission is to provide construction, utilities and electrical power teams, is deploying in September. They will provide engineer support in the 21st Theater Army Area Command (TAACOM). The detachment, which includes a staff of plumbers, electricians, carpenters, masons, surveyors, heavy equipment operators and mechanics, will be hosted by the 415th Base Support Battery in Daenner, Kaserne, Germany.

The 298th will be the third and final rotation to complete and repair all unfinished construction projects to include a church and pavilions, demolition on some of the older buildings and construction of puzzle-block sidewalks.

– 1999 Spring Pūpūkahi pp. 4

Guard engineers repair high school track

Story and photo by
1st Lt. Jeffery D. Hickman

In these tight budget times, the Hawaii National Guard brought welcome relief to the State Department of Education’s Wallace C. Farrington High School. A recent local news article noted that Farrington leads the State public schools with facilities needing more than $10.1 million in repairs.

The Farrington High School track received a major face lift thanks to the Hawaii National Guard engineers. For three weeks in June, Army and Air Guard members made the trip to the Kalihi high school and resurfaced its cinder track

This Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) provides the National Guard soldiers and airman with realistic training and an opportunity to perform a needed service for the community at minimal cost to the State of Hawaii.

Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Civil Engineer Squadron cleared the grass and excess dirt off of the track and graded the existing surface during the first week. For the next two weeks the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 298th Engineer Detachment cleared off the last of the grass and filled and graded the cinder surface until it is fully functional for the Farrington student athletes.

Before the joint community service project began, the track surface had bumps, holes and dips throughout. And a large portion of the track was covered with grass so overgrown that it had to be cut before the cement edge lining the facility could be seen.

“We’re very thankful,” said Agenhart Ellis, Farrington’s athletic director. “For over eight years the track has been in disrepair. Through the efforts of State Sen. Norman Mizuguchi and the Hawaii Guard we were able to open this fall with a first class track.”

“We’ve built roads before, but this was the first time we worked on a track,” said Spc. Ben Antoque. “This was a good project for us, it gives our guys an opportunity to get some training on our machines.”

The 298th had three vehicles on site helping with the cinder application: a scoop loader to place the cinder, a roll grader to spread the cinder and a roller vibrator to smooth the surface. The final touches were accomplished with rakes evening out the cinder along the edges.

– 1999 Summer – Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 4

The Hawaii Guard’s Keaukaha Military Reservation (Hilo) facilities were treated to a facelift by the electricians, plumbers, carpenters, masons, and other technicians of the 298th Engineer Detachment. Roads and driveways were resurfaced or built; bathroom fixtures replaced; lamps and wiring were removed and replaced; a 20-person hootch was constructed; and numerous other home improvements were accomplished during annual training.

– 2000 Annual Report pp. 13

California, Hilo welcome back Hawaii Guard assistance

Soldiers continue engineering projects off island

By Pfc. Brandon T. Bocanegra

Hawaii Army National Guard’s 298th Engineer Detachment and 227th Engineer Company (Combat) deployed for construction and repair missions off island this year.

During the first weeks of June, the Pearl City-based 298th flew to Hilo to continue its on-going mission of renovation and construction of facilities at the Keaukaha Military Reservation in Hilo.

The Pearl City-Hilo-based 227th flew to San Diego, Calif., to work on fences and roads along the Mexican border during the latter of June.

Home improvements made at Hilo Guard facility

The 298th Engineer Detachment deployed carpenters, masons, electricians and plumbers to the Big Island facility.

Their primary mission: improvements at the KMR billeting area, the primary consolidation and staging point for units that plan to train in the Hilo, as well as the Pohakuloa Training Area. The area, also used by active military components and civilian organizations such as Boy and Girl Scouts and the Civil Air Patrol, could house more than 250 personnel.

The engineers have made the KMR projects a regular part of their training schedule, usually performing upgrades and repairs in the islands one year then training overseas the following year.

Capt. Neal S. Mitsuyoshi, the unit’s commander who deployed for his first time with the detachment, was impressed with the working conditions at the Hilo facility, as well as the soldiers’ attitudes.

“I do notice a difference in this unit. The members are not just tight professionally, but personally. There is more of an ohana (family) atmosphere because they work together but also hang out together,” he said.

Mitsuyoshi, who is also the Hawaii Guard full-time engineering officer, said the soldiers also enjoy helping out the Guard units at home because of the appreciation they receive.

Maj. Darryl Lindsey, the facility manager at KMR, said, “they are doing a good job, I am impressed. It is a worthwhile arrangement because they get training and, this year, are saving us more than $7,000. Other projects included replacing sinks and plumbing at billeting bathrooms, replacing light pole fixtures and lamps, repairing roofs, pouring a cement driveway, grading service roads, and clearing debris from roadsides.”

“We receive good and practical training, as well as helping out the department,” said Mitsuyoshi. “Many units will benefit from our efforts.”

California-Mexico border project continues

For the second time, the 227th Engineer Company deployed to San Diego’s Camp Morena to lend their hand to an ongoing project of building a more secure border between the U.S. and Mexico.

The 227th’s mission was to continue the previous efforts of servicemembers from around the nation. Their assignments included replacing the old, rusty, barbed wire border with a 10-foot tall fence made of prefabricated steel landing mat, as well as cutting and filling the former spiderweb of eroded trails into an all-weather road system. This contribution made Hawaii’s combat engineers and other units has aided the California National Guard’s counterdrug program and the U.S. Border Patrol in the war against drugs and smuggling of other illegal contraband.

To combat this problem of nationwide importance, active and reserve units from around the country have come together with the plan of halting outside drug traffic before it can even hit our streets.

Over one million illegal immigrants come to America every year, mostly from Mexico, Central America and China, according to a Time magazine article entitled, “Border Clash.” This flood of people produces economic problems for our government, but the main concern is the drug traffic that slips through our borders.

Capt. Jeffrey Kawakami, 227th commander and a Hawaii Guard counterdrug official, said, “this program is not to deter legal immigration, but to deter drug smugglers. We want to prevent bringing in drugs, guns or anything illegal.”

A key element in this effort is to establish better barriers around the U.S. The California Innovative Readiness Training or Task Force Grizzly is the National Guard operation currently charged with upgrading the border between California and Mexico, a task that requires aid from all over the country.

According to Chief Warrant Officer David Clark, former operations officer of TF Grizzly, approximately 20 National Guard units with various specialties participate in the operation yearly.

“The training opportunity is a winwin situation … everyone does their part,” said Sgt. Mark Powell, a contractor from Hilo.

However, the atmosphere on the border was not entirely relaxed. One platoon working on the borderline was forced to shut down for a period of time when Mexican nationals began throwing rocks at the soldiers from across the border, but due to a quick response to the incident, no injuries or serious damage to equipment occurred.

“It was scary because if they can throw rocks, they can shoot you,” said Spc. Jed Uson, a full-time student at Leeward Community College, who was working on the border.

“This is real,” explained Kawakami. “This is the closest that a unit can come to a deployment in another country without actually deploying to another country, because you come across all the same situations. You have international incidents that can happen.”

“The fence and road the Hawaii National Guard and the other units before them have built has decreased the amount of crimes because it allows the border patrol to respond to areas of incident quickly, rapidly, and safely,” said Clark. “San Diego used to be the busiest sector for arrests within border patrol. It is no longer.”

According to Clark, officials confiscate over one ton of drugs a month across the nation. However, this is only an estimated 8-13 percent of the drugs that make it through.

“This is not just a California project,” said Clark. “We will probably wind up going across the four border states (Arizona, New Mexico and Texas).”

Based on the success of the border project, the enthusiasm of the Hawaii engineers and the large amount of work left, the Hawaii unit will most likely return in years to come.

– 2000 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 4

Engineers, mechanics deploy to Japan, Italy

By Sgt. Wendy M. Hirasa and Sgt 1st Class Stephen M. Lum

Missions in Japan and Italy capped a training year that saw Hawaii Army National Guard units deployed all over the globe. In the spring, medics and helicopter aviators supported humanitarian missions in Honduras, while infantry soldiers practice their tactics in Louisiana, California and Australia.

Building strong ties

The 298th Engineering Detachment completed a two-part mission in Japan in June. The first mission was at Camp Zama and here the 298th built two Japanese-style pavilions for the Morale, Welfare and Recreation. The second mission at north Yokohama included bathroom and office renovations at the sub-base engineering facilities for the MWR program.

They also completed an acoustical tiling project to soundproof a conference room, built five picnic benches for the pavilion, and constructed dry boards and chalkboards for the conference rooms.

The 49 engineers completed these missions under very adverse weather conditions, said Capt. Neal S. Mitsuyoshi, 298th commander. We were fortunate that all of the missions were completed without any injuries because the temperature was 95 degrees with a high humidity.

“With issues of fighting the elements, two firefighting medics (297th Fire Fighting Team) who are also emergency medical technician qualified, were on board to constantly monitor the temperature and the potential for heat casualties.”

The unit is comprised of carpenters, masons, plumbers and electricians who hold these positions for their civilian jobs as well, so not only is their work of high quality but they are also able to work very efficiently, said Mitsuyoshi.

“From Germany to the Big Island of Hawaii, our soldiers completed the mission,” he said. “Wherever they go, they receive requests to return. Japan has already asked us back.”

Improving readiness

This summer, Company B, 29th Support Battalion, was split into two deployment teams to performing maintenance duties for over a period of a month in Vencinzi, Italy.

Last years practical experiences at National Maintenance Training Center at Camp Dodge, Iowa, were put to the test.

The real world mission included mechanics and technicians bringing vehicle and equipment back to operational readiness, and administrative sections keeping the supply channels restocked and personnel issues up to date.

“Bravo has been busy this year,” said Capt. Christopher Slavens, company commander. ”This spring, we were the base unit for the Ready Reaction Force during the Asian Development Bankers conference held in Honolulu and many of our soldiers are assisting in the Hawaii Guard’s airport security mission.”

– 2001 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 6

In April, 27 soldiers from the 298th Engineer Detachment deployed to Tagaytay City, Philippines, to participate in Exercise BALIKATAN. They continued the Hawaii National Guard commitment to the National Guard initiative State Partnerships. The engineers worked alongside airmen of the Filipino Air Force to repair a home economics classroom.

– 2003 Annual Report pp. 9-10

Engineers build Philippines partnership

by 1st Lt. Jeffery D. Hickman and Master Sgt. Stephen Lum

construction, not destruction, is what the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 298th Engineering Detachment is all about. Twenty engineers continued building the Hawaii National Guards States Partnership Program relationship with the republic of the Philippines during Exercise Balikatan 2003 this spring. The program is a National Guard initiative that promotes links between U.S. states with partner countries’ defense ministries and other government agencies for the purpose of improving bilateral relationships with the U.S.

Carpenters, electricians, masons, plumbers and more put their expertise and hearts into repairing a home economics classroom in Tagaytay City in the Batangas Province, about two hours south of Manila. The 298th engineers spent 20 eight hour days working along side airmen from Philippine Air Force’s 355th Aviation Engineer Wing in the humanitarian and civil assistance/civil military operation event.

The tools and other equipment to be used during this project were sent from Hawaii, via barge, 40 days before the arrival of the 298th.

Once on site, there was no shopping outside the hotel, no walking around the immediate area or sight-seeing. The daily routine was: hotel, bus, work site, bus and hotel. The threat level for the area was elevated, but the 298th soldiers said they felt no threat. Our soldiers were in an unstable region and had a Guam Army National Guard unit providing force protection.

“The locals were ecstatic about our help … they were very thankful,” said Staff Sgt. Haunani Lo. One thing that the 355th will come away from this project with is the experience in using the 298th’s power tools. “When we got there, they were using rakes, shovels, hand saws and homemade ladders and that was it.”

– 2003 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 4

In April, Hawaii said goodbye to two more units — the 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and the 298^th Engineer Detachment deployed for one year tours in Afghanistan. At its peak in 2005, five out of every six soldiers in the Hawaii Army National Guard were on active duty.

– 2005 Annual Report pp. 6

The 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and the 298th Engineer Detachment, along with the Guam Army National Guard’s 1224th Engineer Detachment, were mobilized as part of Task Force Pacific.  . . . The 53-member engineer unit completed more than 90 vertical and horizontal engineering projects supporting Regional Command-South, based in Kandahar. In addition to building base infrastructure at eight locations in and outside the wire, they were instrumental in the construction of the 117-kilometer (72-plus miles) Tarin Kowt Road. The 298th road crew operated equipment and trained personnel. They helped complete the construction of more than 43 miles of the road (including cutting through a mountainous pass) in four months.

– 2006 Annual Report pp. 7

298th Engineer Detachment on deployment

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Lum
117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LAGMAN, Afghanistan – The electrical upgrade at Forward Operating Base Lagman has turned into a full-blown construction project.

Hawaii’s 298th Engineer Detachment is assisting in FOB Lagman’s expansion.

“In less than two weeks, our three-person team brought the electrical wiring up to code,” said Army Sgt. Jon M. Julius, a 298th electrician from Kapolei, Hawaii. “We finished running hundreds of feet of cable, installing outlet boxes and building a generator shelter for the provincial reconstruction team pole barn.”

Next, the built transient quarters for the force provider Soldiers joining the FOB’ s during the election process. Logistics included selecting the construction site, drawing up plans and ordering materials. A leveled soccer field provided an ideal platform for the 20 tents.

“Thirteen carpenters/masons and plumbers joined the team,” said Army Spc. Michael C. Bearis, a social worker from Ewa Beach, Hawaii. “We finished the decks in less than a week. Close on our tail were Afghan workers who erected the tents. All that is left is wiring the ‘rooms’ for lighting and outlets.”

“I’ve only got a three-man team of technicians here,” said Kalman J. Szazay, KBR’s Lagman team leader. ”These guys have been a blessing. They’re quick and efficient. They do quality work and always wear a smile.”

Added to the list of projects is a pole barn for the Army mechanics and an office for the intelligence staff of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Jeri G. Coleman, the 503rd liaison non-commissioned officer with the 298th, could not respond to the Hawaii engineers’ request for more building materials fast enough. “They keep completing projects days and weeks of schedule.”

– 2006 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 7

Freedom Salute celebrates deployed troops return

By Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Lum,
117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

In July, the latest group of returning Hawaii Army National Guard combat veterans were recognized at the National Guard Freedom Salute ceremony held at the 103’d Troop Command headquarters in Pearl City, Hawaii.

Soldiers from the 298th Engineer Detachment, 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and three individual augmentees were presented certificates, coins, flags and other keepsakes in thanks for serving our nation in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

The soldiers’ families, family support coordinators and employers were also recognized and presented with pins, certificates or statuettes for their support and sacrifice during the year long deployment.

More than 70 engineering and public affairs soldiers return from Afghanistan in April. Major accomplishments of the engineers included completion of the 250-kilometer Tarin Kowt Road and building the infrastructure of forward operating bases in Kandahar, Oruzgan and Zabul Province.

The MPAD soldiers were spread in numerous Afghan provinces. They operated from bases in Kabul, Bagram, Kandahar, Heart and Salerno. They provided a gambit of public affairs support, to include news acquisition and release; media accreditation, planning and escorting; briefing military, government and civic leaders; live satellite video transmissions.

Hawaii Army Guard Chief of Staff Col. Gary Hara and Lt. Col. Robert Kauhane worked for the MultiNational Force-Iraq. Hara served as the chief of the Reserve Corps division, while Kauhane, the Hawaii Guard’s new G3 (Plan, Operations and Training Officer), worked in the future operation section. Lt. Col. Walter Cheshire was employed with the embedded training teams in Ramadi, Iraq

Lieutenant Gov. James “Duke” Aiona lead a list of speakers, presenters and guests. Major Gen. Robert G.F. Lee (the adjutant general), Maj. Gen. Darryl Wong (Hawaii Air Guard commander), Brig. Gen. Joseph Chaves (Hawaii Army Guard and 29th Infantry Brigade commander), Maj. Gen. Vern Miyagi (Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command) lead the list Hawaii Guard’s distinguished military attendees.

– 2006 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 5

Engineers bring Aloha to Afghanistan

Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Lum,
117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Fifty-three Hawaii National Guard Soldiers from the 298th Engineer Detachment made a difference in Regional Command-South during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM VI. The vertical and horizontal engineers deployed to Afghanistan last April and completed more than 90 projects in eight locations.

Marching orders evolve

The 298th was initially attached to and got their assignments through the lead engineering element in RC-South, the 864th Engineer Combat (Heavy) Battalion (Task Force Pacemakers). In the first month, the Hawaii engineers completed more than a dozen assignments on Kandahar Airfield without organic tools and equipment, which were still on milvans (military van) making their way up through Pakistan.

”The vast knowledge and experience of the Soldiers enable the 298th to know which selective tools and equipment to scrounge for the variety of projects requested,” said Staff Sgt. Julie-Ann Lo, the full time administration sergeant from Nanakuli, Hawaii. “Through much improvising and without sacrificing standards or safety, the unit was able to complete projects for the Vicenza, Italy based 1 73rd Airborne Brigade (Combined Task Force Bayonet) units, 864th out of Fort Lewis, Wash., military police, British and KAF base operations.” The first month’s construction projects included setting up detainee holding cages; building a balcony with stairs, awning, rails and benches; repairing walls and trim for offices; building 10 coffins; building numerous desks and shelves; installing electrical panduits; and put up concertina wire fences. The heavy equipment operators used borrowed equipment to cut, grade, roll and or backfill a motor pool, camp ground, mobility ramp and an entry control point.

In May, the vertical sections, which include carpenter/ masons, electricians and plumbers, were officially attached to CTF Bayonet, while the horizontal remained with TF Pacemaker. The command-operations section continued to report and coordinate missions with both task forces and, the supply and maintenance sections quietly performed the routine mission without skipping a beat.

Going outside-the-wire increased risk

In addition to KAF, missions started to move outside the wire to small, barely built forward operating bases and road projects not even half complete. “Our crews were a blend of Soldiers who are journeymen trades’ workers in their civilian jobs, those who have their basic military specialty school training and 11 Inactive Ready Reserve augmentees,” said Sgt. Kirk K. Halemano, the Hawaii unit’s full time training NCO from Kalihi, Hawaii. “Job requirements lead to cross training and mentoring of carpentry, electrical and heavy equipment operation skills.”

“Prior to moving to missions in Oruzgan and Zabul Province, as well as Kandahar,” said Sgt. 1st Class Sonny Patoc, the 298th’s first shirt from Aiea, Hawaii, “the unit built an observation deck for rotary wing force, refurbished office interior, built more desks, and leveled and rolled area for a motor pool. We also started prefabricating guard shacks, showers and latrines that would be trucked to various foreword operating bases (FOB) and to Kandahar City, and an on-going project of converted 15 milvan’s into kitchens, bathrooms, and offices.”

The 298th sent the first of three vertical teams out and established operating and living quarters for the barren FOB Wolverine. Within two weeks, the team assembled a shower stall, toilet stalls, tactical operations center tent, dining facility tent, first aid tent, morale welfare recreation tent, 24 Tier-1 tents, and motor pool office with deck and shelves. The electricians set up the generator power distribution, and hooked up power, lighting and air conditioning units to all the newly constructed facilities. The team also encountered rocket attacks from the insurgents while performing their missions out at Wolverine.

“With planning, coordination and prefabrication, most of the missions lasted an average of two weeks,” said Sgt. Joel B. Ballestros, a carpenter from Waianae, Hawaii. “Some projects came with plans and blueprints, while many were visions and wish lists which took a bit of planning on our part. Our only regret is we were never really challenged with what we consider a big project like a school or a hospital.”

– 2006 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 5

Engineers support border mission

Stories and photos by Spc. Matthew H. A. Oda

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

More than 80 Soldiers from the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 230th Engineer Company helped support California’s Operation JUMP START southwest border mission in April. As part of the President’s Homeland Security initiative, OJS uses National Guard troops to support the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol protection preventing illegal crossing and drug trafficking through the Mexico borders.

The Maui-headquartered engineer unit worked out of San Diego and was attached to Task Force STEEL CASTLE, the California National Guard’s engineering slice of OJS. The Hawaii engineers, who also have a detachment on Oahu and one on Molokai, made the trip on board an Air Force C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft flight. The 230th also has two Soldiers from the Big Island of Hawaii and one from Lanai.

Three major missions were accomplished

Engineering missions included retrofitting an existing fence, repositioning electrical boxes and making a drainage ditch.

“We modified the angle of the poles,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Jacinto, noncommissioned officer in charge of the fence and electrical box project, “and put clips on galvanized webbed sheeting to reinforce the fence.”

“Each day, we tried to do about thirty fence lines,” said Spc. Richard Galo, a 7-year Guard member from Maui, “which equals about 300 feet a day.”

“It took us about four days to complete our project,” said Galo. “Task Force Steel Castle personnel overseeing the project were impressed with our productivity.”

“Our team also rebuilt the electrical boxes along the fence line,” said Jacinto, a 15-year Guard veteran from Maui. “We raised the boxes a foot above ground to make them visible. We also built concrete platforms around the boxes to protect them from increased damage. TF STEELE CASTLE expectations were about 20 platforms a day, instead, we did 28 of them.”

“My team made a brow ditch on one of the hills by digging a long ditch and coating it with concrete to redirect the water runoff to a culvert,” said Staff Sgt. Lester Delos Reyes, brow ditch project NCOIC, “instead of running down the hills and causing potential damage to the surrounding areas.

We completed the task on Russian Hill in three days (ahead of schedule) even with some Soldiers doing on-the-job-training,” said Delos Reyes, from Molokai. “Many of our new Soldiers are infantrymen retraining as engineers.”

“The only obstacle the 230th faced was time,” said 1st Sgt. Michael J. Lacno, the engineer’s first sergeant, “given more time, the more we could have accomplished more.

“Things ran very smoothly . . . the leaders took charge,” said Lacno, the 22-year Guard member from Maui. “Our TF STEEL CASTLE host provided the materials and equipment we needed to get the job done. Many of our troops are transitioning from the infantry mission, but the young or inexperienced Soldiers were willing and motivated to learn engineering the . . ” mission.

– 2008 April – June Pūpūkahi pp. 5

Volcano cottage readied for Hawaii national guard vacationers

Story and photos Master Sgt. (R) Stephen M. Lum
Excerpts culled from June 1996 Hawaii Guardsman magazme

Tucked away in the forest, down the road from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the little known Hawaii National Guard’s volcano summer cottage.

Built in 1932, the cottage being renovated by the Soldiers of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 230th Engineer Company. The Maui headquartered unit has a detachment on Oahu and one Molokai. Additionally, the 230th has two Soldiers who live and work on the Big Island of Hawaii and one on Lanai

Cottage’s history revealed

“The cottage is on a two acre lot which was part of a 40 acre parcel donated to the Territory of Hawaii by a local Hawaiian family in the early 1900’s,” said Kirk Awong, from the Guard’s State Maintenance Office in Hilo for 36 years. The Territory turned over the land to the Guard for a training area.

In 1932, while looking at a tax map to find the boundary information for a volcano property, the District of Hawaii forester Lester W. Bryan notice a parcel labeled Hawaii National Guard. He informed Col. Andrew Spalding, then commander of 299th Infantry, of his discovery.

Spalding’s researched revealed the property’s origins. The lands were used sparingly, but due to the density and dampness of the forest they were considered unsuitable at the time for training and quietly forgotten until Bryan’s rediscovery.

At Bryan’s suggestion and with Spalding’s approval a woodcutter was allow to cut down and remove the trees from property in exchange for building a small cottage for vacationing Guardsmen. The agreement included furnishings and a water tank. A few years after the cottage was built, the balance of the lands was returned to the Territory’s forestry service.

In 1933, Bryan was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Hawaii Guard and served until retiring 23 years, later as a colonel. During his tenure, he oversaw the maintenance of the cottage, as well as the reorganization 299th Infantry Regimental Combat Team.

State Maintenance caretaker of site

The Territory, then State Maintenance crews have cleared the vegetation away from the cottage and kept a well manicured lawn.

Hawaii Guard members use to “rent” the cottage for $1.50 per day per person, including fresh sheets and old Army wool blankets. In later years, fees increased to five dollars, but time has taken its toll on the electrical, plumbing and paint.

The State crew does it’s best to maintain the building, but with the aid the Guard engineers and three months of $500 maintenance fees the property is nearing occupation status. Vintage, but still functional electric stove and refrigerator are in the kitchen. State workers rebuilt the sink and countertop a few years ago.

“Over the weekends in Spring 2008,” said 1st Lt. Dane Calvan, the unit’s construction officer, “teams from the 230th rebuilt the outhouse, remodeled the bathroom and brought the electrical and plumbing up to code.

“Construction cost were limited to new plumbing fixtures (like the toilet, bathtub, basin, water pump and filter),” said Calvan, an electrician from the Kailua-Kona, “drywall boards, sheets of tile and cement. The most of the wood came from leftovers of previous Big Island projects at the Hilo Armory, Keaukaha Military Reservation.”

“Each weekend crew was made up of different team members,” said Capt. Anthony S. Tolentino, the 230th commander. “That made for interesting transitions, like the outhouse. The old three by five foot outhouse in disrepair with leaky corrugate roofing and rotting wood structure was torn down and replaced by an eight by eight structure.”

The first team dug a trench and laid the new pipes for plumbing and an electric conduit from the main house to the new outhouse. Additionally, they built a form for the concrete floor of the outhouse. “Due to cost of cement, the form was reconfigured for smaller tiles which would anchor the new structure built around the old foundation,” said Calvan, “thus the larger outhouse was built.”

“The outhouse walls were uneven,” said Spc. Andrew P. Kalaukoa, a full-time carpenter from Makaha, “so we made the adjustments when we built the roof and finished the framing. We also, built an entry landing and install a door.”

“The bathroom’s challenge was to enclose the exposed pipes,” said Spc. Jessie M. Liu, a plumber in the unit, but a carpenter full-time from Mililani, “and the frame the new tub with drywall and tile sheeting.”

“Our plumbers also replaced the water pump and filtration for the water catchments system to the water tank,” said Calvan, “and checked for leaks throughout the house, while the electricians ran power and lights to the outhouse.”

“Stripping and painting of the cottage will have to wait,” said Tolentino, “until an environmental assessment is scheduled and made on the lead content of the old paint.”

When you get access to the volcano cottage? Check with the staff the Hilo Armory for it’s status. And where is the 230th Engineers training next, well they’ve already got their alert to redeploy to Agfhanistan in 2010.

– 2009 April – September Pūpūkahi pp. 4-5

Hawaii Soldiers, Thai marines build classroom, bridges

Story and photos by Spc. Joanna N Amberger,
117th MPAD

CHANTHABURI, THAILAND – After 24 hours of non-stop travel, 30 Hawaii Army National Guard engineers step off their bus into the early morning light and, for the first time, see the place they will call home for the next three weeks. A two-story schoolhouse sits at the end of a large, dusty quad that is spotted with a few meager trees. Classrooms have been emptied of furniture and the 230th Engineer Company (Vertical) Soldiers wearily carry their luggage to the cots with their names marked on the wall.

Engineers build structures, build good relations

The Ban Nong Buatong School is in the Chanthaburi District of Thailand and serves a poor, rural community here with about 140 students ranging from kindergarten to the sixth grade. Also on site are 19 Thai marines from the Royal Thai Marine Engineer Battalion stationed out of Sattahip, Chonburi.

The Soldiers and Thai marines are on a joint engineering civic assistance mission to build a new classroom facility for the school here January to February as part of the Cobra Gold exercise held throughout Thailand. Although the Soldiers and Thai Marines came together to build a new classroom, they are here to serve a larger mission.

“While the building is important, the more important facet to the exercise is the joint, bilateral exchange between the U.S. and Thai forces,” said Maj. Joe Laurel, Joint Civil Military Affairs Task Force, Humanitarian Civil Affairs, officer in charge from the Hawaii Guard.

“The school is just a venue that allows us to get together and work together,” he continued. “The real importance is the interaction between Thai and U.S. personnel, which strengthens our bond between the two forces.”

“The biggest challenge we have on the job site is the language,” said 1st Sgt. Michael Lacno, a resident of Makawao on the island of Maui. “But, the end result always comes out the same and the job gets done,” Lacno added.

“From the very first day, there was an openness and a willingness to get the project done and learn from each other,” said Pfc. Michelle Almeida of Kihei on the island of Maui.

“As we learn more words and gestures, and we get more familiar with each other, then it gets smoother,” Almeida continued. “There is a whole lot of laughter going on because they laugh at some of the stuff we do, our hand gestures or facial expressions, while we try to communicate with each other.”

By working on the common project, the Soldiers and Thai Marines engage in a true cultural exchange that is able to cross the language barrier between them.

“They’ll come show us different tips,” Almeida says as she recalls an incident that highlights how the two groups work together.

While driving nails for the framing crew, Almeida’s hammer repeatedly slid off the nails. The hammer she was using had a smooth head, unlike a traditional carpenter’s hammer that has a grit on the end to prevent slippage.

“One of the Thai marines came over and asked to see my hammer. He took it and ground down the rounded edge so it wouldn’t slip,” she said. “They are very aware of what’s going on around them, and we are very aware of what’s happening with them,” she continued as she described the new relationship with the Thai marines.

Bonding friendships

Sgt. 1st Class Catherine Kula of Waipahu, Oahu, also has enjoyed her experience working on a cement mixing crew with four Thai marines. “I wanted to get involved,” Kula said. “They put me in charge of a mud detail. I couldn’t ask for a better crew.”

Kula formed a special bond with one of the Thai marines on the crew. “One of them adopted me! My ‘new son’ is 27 years old and he has a two-year-old son. I’ve got a 27-year-old son and a 2-year-old grandson of my own,” she said of her family in Hawaii.

The Soldiers and Thai marines also share experiences off the jobsite that deepen the developing friendship. Shared meals throughout the day offer an opportunity for both groups to sample traditional foods and laugh over the experiences of the day.

After a hard day’s work, the engineers kick back and relax together. Jan. 29 marked Thai marine 1st Sgt. Sudtay Preawdang’s 34th birthday. To celebrate, the Hawaii Soldiers introduced the Thai marines to a Hawaiian tradition: a Kani’kapila.

“A kani’kapila is like a jam session,” said Spc. Andrew Kalaukoa of Makaha, Oahu. According to Kalaukoa, two Soldiers played ukuleles and one Thai marine joined in with a guitar as the entire group around the bonfire sang songs.

“It was good fun. We were all there for the same reason: to bond,” he said.

– 2009 April – September Pūpūkahi pp. 6-7

Balikatan 2015 Reinforces Urban Search And Rescue Techniques

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines trained shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers, practicing techniques to enter collapsed buildings effectively in case of a real world urban search and rescue scenario as part of exercise Balikatan, April 24.

Fifty four Filipino participants from the AFP and Palawan Bureau of Fire Protection practiced basic shoring techniques.

Shoring is the process of supporting a building, vessel, structure, or trench with props when they are in danger of collapse.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jim Evagelista, 103rd Troop Command, 230th Engineer Company logistics noncommissioned officer in charge, HIARNG, explained how the training is preparing the AFP to better respond to a natural or man-made disaster.

“Before the rescuer can enter a building they need to secure and stabilize the collapsed structure before they can enter,” Evangelista said. “What I taught them is that the first thing that you need to know as a rescuer is that you need to rescue yourself, your teammates, and then the victim. It doesn’t make sense if you’re going into a building that’s not stable.”

To prepare for a USAR situation, AFP members and fire protection rescuers constructed t-spots, double t-spots, flying rakers, and split sole rakers, to better prevent a damaged building from collapsing.

Philippine Army Sgt. Vanessa May Sumanga, 408th Palawan Community Defense Center criminologist, said she thinks the USAR training has better prepared her to respond to an incident.

“Staff Sgt. Evangelista taught me how to do basic shoring if there was ever a building collapse and how to rescue a victim,” Sumanga said. “From my basic knowledge given by Sir Evangelista, I will better be able to help rescue victims.”

Philippine Air Force Staff Sgt. Rolando Albaniel, 570th Composite Tactical Wing military police security supervisor, said that the knowledge the BK15 USAR training has provided will be utilized when the training is complete.

“What they taught us must go to action,” Albaniel said. “With this training there should be no accident for the rescuer when they enter a building. This training is beneficial if this happens in Palawan. It gives us an idea on how to perform in any case that a disaster may happen to us.”

U.S. Army Corey Ito, CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package search and extraction noncommissioned officer in charge, HIARNG, hopes the training will assist the AFP in the future.

“Hopefully they can use the training because they are hit by a lot of typhoons and other real world events,” Ito said. “The Filipinos are very receptive, open to everything, and very eager to learn.”

This year marks the 31st iteration of the exercise, which is an annual Philippines-U.S. bilateral military training exercise and humanitarian civic assistance engagement.

– 2015 May Pūpūkahi pp. 1

Maui Airmen and Soldiers team up to clear flood debris

Hawaii Air and Army National Guard members based out of Maui teamed up to help clear debris from the Wailuku River Sept. 21-27.

To protect life, property, and infrastructure and to provide humanitarian assistance, Airmen from the HIANG’s 292nd Combat Communications squadron and Soldiers from the HIARNG’s 230th Engineering Company volunteered to remove the debris.

Debris settled in the Wailuku River following the heavy rains that besieged Maui on Sept. 13. Like the drain pipe blocked with too much waste, the debris that settled in the Wailuku River redirected the flow of water causing damage to the surrounding community.

Area residents were directly impacted or at risk of being affected as overflow from the river flooded homes and severely damaged state and county property and infrastructure.

“The Situation when we responded was a high priority,” said Chief Master Sgt. Charles Tomlinson, Plans and Resources Superintendent with the 292nd CBCS and Air Guard liaison to Maui county emergency officials. “The area was at risk of [additional] flooding from even the slightest rainfall due to the changes in the river. This put several homes at risk as well as infrastructure in the area.”

The Maui News reported that river flow during the height of the rainstorm was at three billion gallons a day; normal flow for the river is 150 million gallons a day.

The situation prompted Maui county officials to request assistance and Gov. Ige to issue an emergency proclamation.

Once on site, Hawaii National Guard Airmen and Soldiers along with a local trucking company, worked to clear debris from the river and transport green waste to a county landfill.

“The amount of devastation is hard to describe and pictures do not do it justice,” Tomlinson said. “You would have had to see it first hand to really get a feel for it.”

Domestic operations such as these illustrate the National Guard’s dual mission. On one hand, National Guard Airmen and Soldiers serve their country as elements of the U.S. military. But unlike Active Duty members, Guard members also have a responsibility to the state and communities they serve in. State governors or the President of the United States can call on the Guard in a moment’s notice.

“The experience enhanced and validated the existing Maui county procedures for inter-agency relief efforts in support of natural disasters,” said Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Cabanila, a readiness non-commissioned officer for the 230th Engineering Company and Army Guard liaison to Maui county emergency officials.

“State active duty missions such as these demonstrate to the community that the National Guard [members] are truly citizen Soldiers who can be counted on during time of need for their local communities,” Cabanila said.

According to Tomlinson, the event provided a valuable learning experience for the Soldiers and Airmen involved.

“Since this was not what we normally train for—we are a communications squadron, it was a learning experience for all,” Tomlinson said. “This was the first time being activated in support of the state mission for many of the individuals as well as the first time being involved in a joint Army/Air operation.”

Stats indicate that 73 truckloads consisting of over 328 tons of debris were removed from the Iao Valley riverbed and transported to Maui county green waste landfill during the seven day activation period.

“It was great to see everyone come together in their efforts,” Tomlinson said.

HIARNG engineers partnership builds classrooms in the Philippines

Philippine communities in Capiz Panay recently celebrated the completion of a pair of classrooms at two elementary schools. The classrooms were built as a part the the Humanitarian assistance part of the 2017 Balikatan exercise. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine bilateral military exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-terrorism, and other combined military operations

Thirty Members of 230th Engineer Company, Hawaii Army National Guard spent over one month working with members of the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to construct these important facilities.

“Some of the students could become doctors or even be President the Philippines one day,” stated Philippine Army 1st Lt. Hazel Durotan, civil military operations officer, 3rd Infantry Division. In these, the future leaders of the Philippines will rise.”

The locations of the Engineering Civic Action Project (ENCAP) projects were two schools that were heavily damaged during a typhoon in recent years.

The two structures, at two separate sites, were both constructed from scratch over a compressed time line requiring the Hawaii National Guard engineering Soldiers and Seabee’s to work from the dark hours of the morning to well after dusk, every day of the construction schedule. Communication and coordination were key in every phase of the project due to differences in procedures and construction technology available in the remote locations. There were no large cement trucks making daily deliveries of pre-mixed concrete, that was mixed in batches by hand throughout each day.

“Our job was to come in and do all the finish work on the projects,” said U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Joshua Aquinde, platoon leader from the 230th Engineers. “It was hard work and long hours but we got it done for the children, which is the main mission.”

In the end, more was built than the classrooms. Relationships were also forged between the Philippines Hawaii National Guard, and the U.S. Navy.

“Getting schools operational again is an important aspect to any recovery operation,” said Hawaii Adjutant General Arthur Logan. He addressed the importance during the opening ceremonies of the classrooms. “Education is not just the key to ensure the next generation is prepared for the future, it is the best indicator that a disaster area is returning to normal. Duran and Malitbog Elementary schools were selected as projects for Balikatan 2017. These schools serve over 500 students.Today, there are two more fully functional classrooms in each location and a new water catchment systems. The revitalized schools are now a safe and conducive learning environment for its students.”

– 2017 Spring Pupukahi pp. 13

Hawaii National Guard hard at work on micro-shelter project

Engineers of the Hawaii Army National Guard have been hard at work since June 7 constructing a community of emergency “micro-shelter” housing units in Pahoa, Hawaii for residents displaced by the on-going Kilauea eruption.

Sometimes working in pouring rain and mud, the soldiers are part of a community effort led by Hope Services Hawaii, a faith-based non-profit organization. The land on which the new community is being built was provided by Sacred Heart Church.

The initial phase of the project will make 20 housing units available to families, many of whom are currently living in evacuation shelters, cars, and tents. In addition to providing the new residents with shelter, the new community will give the families much-needed privacy while simultaneously helping to alleviate demands on evacuation shelters. First priority will go to senior citizens and families with children.

“It’s important to help the people effected by the lava flow, to help the kids at the shelters, the elderly people,” said Capt. Matthew Driggers, commander of the 230th Engineer Company, which provided 48 soldiers to support the effort. “I take it very personal and want to help out.”

Members of the 230th, which provided much of the skilled labor to construct the homes, have been working side by side with volunteers from local contracting companies and charitable organizations to clear and prepare the land and begin initial construction of the shelters.

Following an early-morning ceremony to bless the project on Saturday, June 9, National Guard soldiers, contractors, and other volunteers descended on the site en masse. By the end of the day, the outer structure and roofs of the micro-shelters were in place. Interior work, such as installing dry wall, will be performed in coming days.

The new community has been dubbed “Sacred Heart Shelter,” and organizers hope to have the new community ready for move-in soon.

– 2018 Summer Pupukahi pp. 5

230th Engineer Company (Vertical) The engineering unit is headquartered in Kīhei, Maui (PFC Anthony T. Kaho’ohano-hano Armory) and is commanded by 1st Lt. Ramon H. Garza. Its mission is to provide ready forces to support federal and state missions and provide vertical and horizontal engineering- support in the construction, repair, and maintenance of infrastructure to support domestic, overseas missions, and provides National Guard Domestic Operations (NGDO) support throughout the State of Hawai‘i. In FY19:

• Participated in multi-state and multi-national school construction projects in Tacloban City, Philippines, Mar. 2019.
• Participated in Project Crow construction project in Billings, Montana, July-Aug. 2019.

– 2019 Annual Report pp. 12

Hawaii National Guard State Partnership Program assists U.S. Navy

Engineers from the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 230th Engineering Company and Search and Rescue Soldiers from The Hawaii Army National Guard’s chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosive enhanced-response-force-package (CERFP) bolstered the U.S. Navy Pacific Partnership deployment in Tacloban, Philippines in March of 2019.

The Soldiers were deployed to the Tacloban region of the Philippines to share their operational expertise of their respective military specialties alongside counterparts from the U.S. Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Over 20 Soldiers from the 230th company joined efforts with U.S. Navy Seabees in two Engineering Civic Action Program projects (ENCAP). The first of the two projects took nearly two months to complete. The first project was a disaster evacuation, multipurpose building in Santa Elena. The second project was a complete renovation of a birthing center that had been severely damaged in a recent typhoon and required work from the roof to the plumbing.

“We renovated the V & G Health and Birthing Center,” said Sgt. Mary Rose Reiner, Hawaii Army National Guard 230th Engineer Company. “There was some reconstruction of the roofing. We installed the light fixtures too. We also laid cement in some of the rooms. The whole building was repainted and re plumed. Our electricians also rewired a few systems.”.

Both of these projects will enhance the regions ability to care for their residents day to day needs as well as enhancing the regions disaster preparedness posture.

The Hawaii National Guard’s search and rescue Soldiers, who regularly engage with their counterparts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as apart of the National Guard State Partnership Program, were on hand to assist in facilitating the largest Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise that has ever been held on the island of Panay.

“We’re here to assist and help any type of training that they need to help oversee and expand their knowledge in the instructor portion of the training,” Staff Sgt. Cory Ito, Hawaii Army National Guard CERFP Team. “This has made us stronger in, as in, everybody getting together, knowledge that went out to the students, and we actually gained a lot of knowledge ourselves. From the local styles of rescue that they do to the actual mission of Yolanda. Overall, everything went well and safe, and the mission was completed.”

The HADR exercise involved participants from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard and many different local government and non-government agencies. The participants were responding to a simulated earthquake scenario where a large structure had collapsed. Structures had to be shored up, while victims needed debris lifted off them and some areas required breaching to reach disaster victims. The Philippine Air Force also performed an aerial rescue off a roof top.

“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, but working together for the last two weeks is success,” said Mr. Jerry Yaokasin, Vice Mayor of Tacloban. “In doing the mission has fostered friendship among us. Trust and cooperation between our country and our partner nations. Mutual cooperation is vital. Humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness, management and response. Especially of the people of this region.”

The goal of the Pacific Partnership is to improve interoperability of the region’s military forces, governments, and humanitarian organizations during disaster relief operations, while providing humanitarian, medical, dental, and engineering assistance to nations of the Pacific, strengthening relationships and security ties between the partner nations.

– 2019 Spring Pupukahi pp. 1-2

National Guard Soldiers Conduct Temperature Screening At Harbor

Soldiers with the Hawaii Army National Guard, 230th Engineer Company, assigned to Task Force Maui assist community liaisons with temperature screening and crowd control at the harbor in Lahaina, HI, August 21, 2020.

Soldiers arrive at 0520 to prepare for passengers arriving to board the ferry traveling to Lanai at 0600. Before boarding is allowed, National Guard members will conduct temperature checks and ask passengers if they have had any flu like symptoms in the last few days to include shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, or any respiratory problems. They also ask if passengers have traveled outside of Maui in the past 14 days or have had prolonged contact with someone who has or might have COVID.

After this initial screening passengers are then required to fill out a mandatory travel form and present an exemption form. Exemption forms are required if you want to travel to and from Lanai. Without an exemption form passengers are required to quarantine for 14 days both sides as this would qualify as inter-island travel.

All paperwork is reviewed and turned in to Darlene Endrina, community liaison for Mayor Michael Victorina and liaison for the island of Lanai, who does as much helping for the community in whatever way she can.

“A lot of these people are nurses, doctors, construction workers, fire fighters, police, and emergency medical technicians traveling to Lanai for work,” said Endrina. “Their company sends an official letter to the mayor’s office requesting an exemption letter for their employees and it is reviewed by the mayor’s legal department. If approved they get an exemption letter back, which allows them to travel to and from Lanai without having to quarantine for 14 days.”

Expeditions to and from Lanai are normally seven days a week five round trips but because of the pandemic expeditions have been cut down to two round trips three days a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Soldiers also conduct temperature screening while passengers are disembarking the ferry arriving in Lahaina, while community liaisons collect the mandatory paperwork.

“I love the National Guard being here, I feel safer,” said Endrina. “They take care of the temperatures and if there’s any confusion or problems I Know they are here to support me.”

– 2020 Fall Pupukahi pp. 2