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