Department of Defense

By Cindy Ujimori and Kyle Karioka

If you have participated in our Over the Edge of Waikiki fundraiser, chances are your rappel was conducted by a volunteer from the Hawai’i Army National Guard’s 93rd Weapons of Mass Destruction – Civil Support Team. This amazing unit has volunteered their time and expertise during the last four years, ensuring the safety and peace of mind of all participants as they rappelled 31 stories down the Sheraton Waikiki. This year, 16 volunteers came out to assist, helping with everything from gearing up rappellers to working the ropes during the 300+ foot descent.

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve and to be a part of this extraordinary event,” said Lieutenant Colonel Lance Okamura. “We had a great experience with Over the Edge and became absolutely speechless when you had a special-needs athlete execute a tandem-rappel down the hotel.”

The 93rd Civil Support Team’s primary mission is to deploy immediately following a terrorist attack, assist local first responders in determining the precise nature of an incident, provide expert medical and technical advice, and help pave the way for the identification and arrival of follow-on military support.

Since its inception in 2009, Over the Edge has raised more than $600,000 for our athletes. This would not have been possible without the hard work of the 93rd Civil Support Team, with a special mahalo going out to Master Sergeant Adam McGhee for serving as the unit’s Over the Edge coordinator every year.