Department of Defense

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

– 1983 Annual Report pp. 1

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

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

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

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

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

– 1983 Annual Report pp. 14-15

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

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

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

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

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