Hawaiʻi National Guard History

29^th Brigade marriage plans

The Governor of Hawaii recently announced a reorganization of the Hawaii Army National Guard (HARNG) that will become effective in April. The change, arrived at jointly by the State Adjutant General’s office, the Department of the Army and Headquarters, United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), will streamline the Hawaii Guard’s largest unit, the 29^th Infantry Brigade, making it a divisional rather than a separate brigade. There will also be a slight reduction in the HARNG’s other major unit, the 298^th Field Depot, and a similar reduction in the Guard headquarters.

The move will trim about 12 per cent or about 500 currently vacant spaces from HARNG’s authorization.

The change will also have an impact upon the 29^th Brigade’s possible use during a nationwide mobilization. The Brigade has been designated as a “round out” unit for the Army’s locally-based 25^th Infantry Division. In the event of general war, the 29^th Brigade would function as the Division’s third major infantry unit, complementing the organization’s two currently assigned active duty brigades. The move does not increase the probability of the 29^th‘s mobilization, it merely specifies the 25^th Division as the gaining division should activation occur.

– 1972 Winter – 1973 Spring The Hawaii Guardsman pp. 4

Strength stabilized during FY 73; however, there were reorganizations in both the Army and Air Guard during the year. The most significant change was the conversion of the 29^th Infantry Brigade into a divisional brigade configuration. The 29^th has been designated as a “roundout” unit for the Army’s 25^th Infantry Division, a mutually beneficial arrangement.

– 1973 Annual Report pp. 1

The reorganization on April 1, 1973, converted the 29^th Infantry Brigade from a separate infantry brigade into a divisional infantry brigade. The 29^th was designated as the roundout brigade for the 25^th Infantry Division. If the Brigade is mobilized in time of war, it will become the third brigade of the Division .

– 1973 Annual Report pp. 4

The 29^th Infantry Brigade was reorganized on April I, 1973. Its structure was changed from a separate infantry brigade into that of a divisional infantry brigade.

Concurrently, the Brigade was designated as the roundout brigade for the 25^th Infantry Division. It will become the third brigade of the Division in the event of federalization. The major impact of the reorganization and designation as a roundout force is as follows: (I) the 29^th Brigade’s authorized strength was reduced from 3,359 to 2,993; (2) Troop E, 19^th Cavalry was converted from an armored unit into an air cavalry unit; (3) the 29^th Support Battalion, which provided combat service support to the Brigade, was reorganized into a supply and service battalion of divisional and non-divisional units with the addition of a light medium truck company; and (4) closer relationship between the 25^th Infantry Division and the 29^th Brigade, to include the designation of the brigade commander as an assistant division commander of the 25^th Infantry Division, was established. . .

The Brigade is expected to receive modern equipment more rapidly and in greater quantities because of its increased readiness mission as a designated roundout unit.

– 1973 Annual Report pp. 11-12

During the February 5-9, 197 5 flooding of the Haleiwa – Waialua and Makaha – Haianae areas of Oahu, our personnel aided in evacuation and debris clearance and carried out other emergency functions .

– 1976 Annual Report pp. 1

On Feb. 5-9, 1976, 500 people were evacuated from the Haleiwa-Waialua and Makaha-Waianae areas of Oahu when flooding drenched homes in those locales. The floods, preceded by high winds , caused property damage of over $500,000 to farms , $219,000 in damage to other parts of the private sector, and $55,000 worth of damage to public property. . . During the flooding, City and County of Honolulu, State Civil Defense, and other agencies were mobilized for rescue , evacuation, debris clearance and other emergency functions. National Guard personnel and equipment were also utilized.

– 1976 Annual Report pp. 5

Oahu County Flood, Feb. 5-9: Five hundred people were evacuated from the Haleiwa-Waialua and Makaha-Waianae areas of Oahu Feb. 5-9 when flooding caused by heavy rains drenched homes in those locales.

– 1976 Annual Report pp. 23

CD responds

By Fred C. Pugarelli
PIO, Civil Defense

Five hundred people were evacuated from the Haleiwa-Waialua and Makaha-Waianae area of Oahu Island on February 6 to 8, 1976, when flooding caused by very heavy rains drenched homes in those locales.

A State Civil Defense spokesman said, “Three shelters were opened up by the Oahu County CD Agency in the affected areas and accommodated approximately 300 persons overnight.” No lives were lost.

Total damage caused by the flood, which was preceded by high winds, was about $274,000. This included private damage of $219,000 and public damage of $55,000.

Hawaii Gov. George R. Ariyoshi and MajGen Valentine A. Siefermann, State director of Civil Defense and adjutant general, both toured the stricken areas.

One small private irrigation reservoir of 1.5 million gallons in the Makaha Valley area threatened to rupture and was pumped into an adjacent resevoir to minimize danger.

City and County of Honolulu and State agencies were mobilized for rescue, evacuation, debris clearance and other emergency functions. National Guard troops and equipment were mobilized and placed on alert for emergency rescue and evacuation in all areas.

– 1976 March Pūpūkahi pp. 3

During January and February, the County of Hawaii sustained record breaking rainfall that caused flooding in many sections of the county. Due to the severity of the rains, President Jimmy Carter, at the request of Governor George R. Ariyoshi, proclaimed Hawaii County a major disaster area for the period February 15-26, 1979.

– 1979 Annual Report pp. 16

Ground and air evacuation transportation was the primary assistance provided during the flooding . One life saving task included medical evacuation from Pahala to Hilo of a patient requiring critical dialysis treatment.

– 1979 Annual Report pp. 6

Big Island residents accept disaster; life returns to normal as disaster subsides

by Bill Roome
CD Information Specialist

“I’ve lived in Hilo for nearly 40 years and the recent February rains were the worst I have seen, but most of the people/ know will rebuild or replant and go on as before,” reflected Ed Tanaka, a Big Island resident. Residents of the Big Island are philosophical about disasters. And with good reason!

They have suffered devastating blows from tsunamis, had many of their public structures indiscriminately dissected by earthquakes and been forced to abandon their homes because of a temperamental lady named Madame Pele.

So when the latest disaster struck – the steady February rains that caused flooding in many parts of the county – Big Island residents took the setback in stride. According to Charlie De Meo, State Civil Defense administrative officer, most of the people who applied for assistance were optimistic and eager to return to their normal ways of life.

During February, severe rains caused damage to many agricultural fields, homes and public structures in the Hilo, Puna and Hamakua area. In a single 24-hour period, a record 22.3 inches of rain fell in the Hilo area.

Due to the copious amounts of rain, on March 7 President Jimmy Carter, at the request of Governor George R. Ariyoshi, proclaimed the County of Hawaii a major disaster area, and a State Civil Defense disaster assistance team moved into Hilo. Once the State Civil Defense team had conferred with State and county officials and representatives from a federal assistance team, a disaster assistance center was opened at the National Guard Armory in Hilo to assist individuals and families who suffered flood related losses.

During the seven days the center was open (March 13-19), 329 people registered for various low-interest loans, grants and other means of assistance. Some of these programs included tax advice, temporary housing, business and personal loans, American Red Cross assistance and the Individual and Family Grant (IFG) Program.

Although the majority seeking assistance requested state and federal, tax advice, a surprising number of people (140 applicants) sought relief under the Individual and Family Grant Program. Originally, State Civil Defense estimated that approximately 60 people would apply for the program.

Under the IFG Program, victims who have disaster-related necessary expenses or serious needs, and who cannot qualify for any other means of assistance, can apply for a grant totaling upwards of $5000.

The program works as follows: Once a victim has applied for a grant, a caseworker interviews the applicant and verifies the necessary items, listed on the application, as being damaged by the disaster. Once this is completed, the caseworker forwards the findings to an administrative panel, comprised of State government employees, who decide if the applicant qualifies for the grant, and if so, how much he or she will receive.

To date, not all of the applicants have been processed, but a sample of those that have been processed include grants for an automobile, school books for a Big Island student and a $5000 grant to assist in rebuilding a house. De Meo estimates that all the applications will be processed by June.

Yes, it is true, disaster relief programs can never replace the anguish and sorrow caused by the loss of personal property but the programs do make it possible to get a fresh start in returning to a normal way of life

– 1979 June Pūpūkahi pp. 2

ARMY GUARD TO THE RESCUE

When heavy rains, flooding .and bad road conditions damaged parts of the Big Island in February (see CD story), an Army Guard helicopter and flight crew were called to State Active Duty to air evacuate a Big Island resident in urgent need of medical attention.

Captain Victor Chun, Chief Warrant Officer Ed Spencer and Sergeant Ronald Ueda flew the lifesaving mission from Pahala Hospital to Hilo Hospital. where the patient received kidney dialysis treatment.

– 1979 June Pūpūkahi pp. 8

Over 500 members of the Hawaii Army National Guard were ordered to duty during the strike by blue-collar public employees in October 1979. Guard members provided back-up security at the state corrections institutions and the Hawaii State Hospital and prepared meals where cooks were in short supply.

– 1980 Annual Report pp. 14

State calls up guard during strike

On the evening of Oct. 21, telephone calls from the Hawaii Army and Air National Guard went out to mobilize more than 400 Guard members state-wide.

A total of 426 Army Guardsmen and eight Air Guard medics reported to their respective unit armories for duty.

In the case of one Army Guard unit, the espirit de corps was so high that soldiers who were not home when the calls went out, reported in for duty when told by a neighboring guardsman about the call up.

Once assembled in their armories, the Guard members were briefed on a special law enforcement duty and assigned to correctional institutions and hospitals.

The strike would have far greater impact on the state than the public initially realized. If UPW unit I workers walked off their jobs at various correctional, rehabilitation and medical institutions administered by the Department of Social Services and Housing (DSSH) and the Department of Health, inmates and patients would go unfed. The
greatest fear of DSSH officials was the possibility of Unit IO security personnel not showing up for work in support of the strike.

National Guard members were to provide security, food service and medical assistance to the following facilities:

• Hawaii State Prison, Annex and Community Release Board
• Halawa / Halfway House Complex
• Youth / Maluhia Complex
• Hilo Prison
• Kulani Prison
• Maui Prison
• Kauai Prison
• Kaneohe State Hospital

As anticipated, contract agreements were not met by the midnight deadline and approximately 8,000 blue-collar workers went on strike.

Guardsmen, trucked out to the different facilities, took up positions on a stand-by status at each facility. Organized into three, eight-hour shifts, the Army Guard soldiers and Air Guard medics began their watch.

The first few days were tense. At various correctional facilities, like Hawaii State Prison on Oahu, the possibility of a volatile situation sent one’s imagination spinning.

Referred to as OP (Oahu Prison) by many guardsmen, Hawaii State Prison is no stranger to the National Guard. The Hawaii National Guard has served as the state’s stabilizing force in three separate occasions which took place in 1973 and 1975.

This recent law enforcement duty was different. It was different in that the guardsmen were placed on state active duty, but were held in a stand-by status. For many guardsmen, it was a report in and wait type of situation.

On several occasions, inmates at OP voiced their dissatisfaction over prison conditions. Fortunately, prison guards and officials were able to settle the differences without the use of the guardsmen.

Throughout the strike, numerous mention was made of the use of the National Guard to collect the growing amounts of trash.

Standing firm, state and National Guard officials dismissed the idea of having National Guard members collect trash,

Then on Nov. 7, Gov. George R. Ariyoshi, making a televised appeal for parents and other volunteers to clean and help reopen public schools, stated -that he would call out the National Guard “if it becomes necessary to maintain order.” But at it turned out, the call up did not materialize.

As the strike continued. the number of Guard members on state active duty steadily declined as the threat of a walkout by Unit 10 security personnel diminished. Then on Nov. 16, the last Army Guard soldier was taken off state active duty.

– 1979 December Pūpūkahi pp. 5

Hawaii National Guard personnel stationed on Maui were activated to aid Maui County civil authorities in evacuating residents during the heavy rain and windstorms in January. Power generators and operators were provided to overcome critical power shortages.

– 1980 Annual Report pp. 14

Maui guardsmen aid neighbors during flooding

The Hawaii Army National Guard was called into action twice to aid Maui County and its residents during the severe January storm that buffeted the Valley Isle.

At the request of Maui County officials, Gov. George R. Ariyoshi ordered 40 Hawaii Army National Guardsmen to State Active Duty Jan. 8-11 to assist stranded or displaced residents.

The National Guard armory in Wailuku was opened up Jan. 8 at 11:40 p.m. to temporarily house some 25 Maui residents affected by the heavy rains and flooding. Twelve Army Guardsmen were again called upon the following morning to assist county medical, police and civil defense personnel in crossing flooded roads. Waters too deep for regular and emergency vehicles required the use of six water-fordable utility transports called “Gamma Goats,” and one 2½-ton transport truck to cross into the Kihei and Makawao areas. The Gamma Goats are large troop carriers with extra-wide flotation tires, and were used to evacuate citizens in these areas.

All guard personnel and equipment were pulled off State Active Duty by midafternoon of Jan. 9 when relief assistance no longer was needed.

Then on Jan. 10, the guardsmen were recalled to assist stranded Maui residents for a second full day after the already battered island suffered even more destruction from the Pacific storms.

Activated in two additional phases, the first contingent of 17 guardsmen was called out at 11 p.m. Wednesday and the second, group of 11 guardsmen was mobilized at 3:30 a.m. Thursday. Hawaii Army National Guardsmen again provided vital transportation for Maui County emergency personnel, as well as temporary housing for residents affected by the wind-lashed rains and flooding.

Seventy-five displaced people were evacuated and housed in the National Guard armory in Wailuku. During the final call-up of National Guardsmen, five more medium-sized amphibious Army Guard transport trucks were used, bringing the total vehicle count to eleven.

– 1980 February Pūpūkahi pp. 5

Big Island storms claim lives; damage property

The past 14 months certainly have been disastrous for the people of Hawaii County. Various storms have claimed the lives of seven people, caused approximately $14 million in damages to public and private
property, and forced many residents to evacuate their homes during storm periods.

Gov. George R. Ariyoshi has declared the county a major disaster area four times. President Carter proclaimed the county a disaster area in February 1979 and has been asked to release federal funds to restore public facilities damaged during the March tempest.

Mother nature began her unbenign frenzy in February 1979. During that month, heavy rains deluged the island. quickly saturating the soil in many districts and causing extensive flooding. In a single 24-hour period, 22.3 inches of rain fell in the Hilo area. During a 10-day period, 250 families were evacuated.

When the sun finally reappeared, a total of 200 homes had suffered various degrees of damage. Approximately 300 people later applied for such disaster assistance as low-interest emergency loans and grants, and damage estimates reach $6 million. The governor declared a state disaster, triggering the release of $500,000 in restoration funds; President Carter followed by declaring Hawaii County a federal disaster area.

In November 1979, heavy rains once again inundated sections of the county, resulting in the governor declaring Puna, Ka ‘u, South and North Hilo. Hamakua, and South and North Kohala major disaster areas. One person lost his life during the storm and approximately 120 people were evacuated. A total of 49 persons from the Waipio Valley area alone were relocated and many taro farms in the valley were destroyed.

The National Gaurd was quickly sent into the valley following the storm to clear debris and to rechannel water back into the Wailoa and Hiilawe Streams. Total damage to public and private property was $4 million.

In January of this year, the entire state was subjected to a tempest that left behind damages totaling some $27 million. Three people lost their lives in Hawaii County and about $300,000 in damages was recorded. A state disaster was declared for all counties.

The latest mayhem to strike Hawaii County occurred this March. claiming three more lives and inundating many districts on the windward side of the island. Damage estimates for the county continue to come in to the State Civil Defense Division, with the latest tallies exceeding $3 million.

According to Steve Philben, SCD disaster assistance planner, some structures, such as the Waiohinu flood project, were severely damaged and repaired following the February storm; and then again were damaged in the March disaster.

The governor has already declared the Big Island a major disaster area and has asked the President again to declare Hawaii County a federal disaster area. lf this request is approved, Hawaii County will be eligible for federal funds to restore public facilities, such as roads, water and drainage facilities.

-Bil Roome
Civil Defense

– 1980 June Pūpūkahi pp. 6

Kaupo to Kalaupapa

Guard Helps Maui

Hawaii Army and Air Guard members went to the aid of Maui County twice this spring.

Early April rains caused heavy flooding on East Maui. An Army Guard helicopter went to help out. Carrying supplies and county workmen into Hana and Kaupo, the helicopter crews played a large part in helping to keep things going in the area cut off by landslides across Hana Highway.

Only a week later, the guard was again called upon; this time to Kalaupapa Settlement on Molokai. Continuing torrential rains washed out its aging fresh-water system. On April 8, when it was certain water tanks would run dry before repairs could be finished, a guard 450-gallon water tank was airlifted in by an Army CH-47 “Chinook” helicopter.

The next day, the Hawaii Air Guard’s C-7 transport plane began a series of trips from Hickam Air Force Base to Kalaupapa carrying fresh water, and hundreds of feet of metal pipe and fittings. An Army Guard OH-58 from Wheeler Air Force Base carried over Capt. Jerry Matsuda, state engineering officer, to survey the site and make a report to Brig. Gen. lshimoto.

The repairs went well and in two days fresh water was again flowing from the mountain streams behind Kalaupapa.

– 1982 Summer Pūpūkahi pp. 2

Heavy rains and flooding in February and April 1982 again resulted in a call for the Hawaii National Guard and State Civil Defense. Affected areas included Wahiawa on Oahu, Kona on the Big Island, and Kaupo on Maui. Assistance was provided in evacuating endangered residents, lifting in supplies and water, damage assessment, and relief operations.

– 1982 Annual Report pp. 14