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PAO Mission

The mission of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Defense Public Affairs Office is to assess the public affairs situation, advise the Adjutant General and leadership on public affairs issues, assist them to make the best possible decisions and translate those decisions into an effective and executional public affairs strategy.

News Release

The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Defense news releases

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Media Advisory

The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Defense media advisories

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Na Koa Exchange

(Boots Wings and More) State of Hawai‘i Department of Defense podcast

YouTube

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Talk Story with Maj. Gen. Roy Macaraeg

Join us for an insightful conversation as we celebrate the retirement of Maj. Gen. Roy Macaraeg, Assistant Secretary of the Army Manpower and Reserve Affairs! In this video, we reflect on his career, legacy, leadership lessons, and the impact he’s made throughout his service. Whether you’re here to hear inspiring stories, leadership insights, or simply want to honor Macaraeg, this full podcast has something meaningful for everyone.

Chiefs 9

The inspiration behind the Chief’s 9 was to have a tool with consistent messaging from the Command Senior Enlisted Leader’s Office. It was meant as a guide and quick reference of carefully selected leadership philosophies that Command Chief Master Sgt. Zandra Fox wanted to share with the force as she conducted unit visits. The nine topics were selected to help get conversations going and mentorships started. Senior and “First-line” Non-Commissioned Officers were invited on the podcast series to tell their stories and inspire the force.

HING History: The sinking of the USAT Royal T. Frank

Lt Col. Kawika Hosea discuss a forgotten moment in World War II history, the sinking of the USAT Royal T. Frank and the survivors known as the “Torpedo Gang”.

Announcing the 2025 DEOCS

Members of the Integrated Primary Prevention Team talk about the Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) 2025.

2024 DEOCS survey

Members of the Integrated Primary Prevention office speak about the Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) 2024.

HIDOD PAOʻs new designer and the pūpūkahi

HIDOD Public Affairs Office introduces the new designer Ruben Duldulao and the redesign of the pūpūkahi newsletter.

HIDOD PAO’s new deputy and the HING history

HIDOD Public Affairs Office introduces the new deputy Rachel Blaire and looks at her project making the HIDOD history available online.

Spotify

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Talk Story with Maj. Gen. Roy Macaraeg

Join us for an insightful conversation as we celebrate the retirement of Maj. Gen. Roy Macaraeg, Assistant Secretary of the Army Manpower and Reserve Affairs! In this video, we reflect on his career, legacy, leadership lessons, and the impact he’s made throughout his service. Whether you’re here to hear inspiring stories, leadership insights, or simply want to honor Macaraeg, this full podcast has something meaningful for everyone.

Chiefs 9

The inspiration behind the Chief’s 9 was to have a tool with consistent messaging from the Command Senior Enlisted Leader’s Office. It was meant as a guide and quick reference of carefully selected leadership philosophies that Command Chief Master Sgt. Zandra Fox wanted to share with the force as she conducted unit visits. The nine topics were selected to help get conversations going and mentorships started. Senior and “First-line” Non-Commissioned Officers were invited on the podcast series to tell their stories and inspire the force.

HING History: The sinking of the USAT Royal T. Frank

Lt Col. Kawika Hosea discuss a forgotten moment in World War II history, the sinking of the USAT Royal T. Frank and the survivors known as the “Torpedo Gang”.

Announcing the 2025 DEOCS

Members of the Integrated Primary Prevention Team talk about the Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) 2025.

2024 DEOCS survey

Members of the Integrated Primary Prevention office speak about the Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) 2024.

HIDOD PAOʻs new designer and the pūpūkahi

HIDOD Public Affairs Office introduces the new designer Ruben Duldulao and the redesign of the pūpūkahi newsletter.

HIDOD PAO’s new deputy and the HING history

HIDOD Public Affairs Office introduces the new deputy Rachel Blaire and looks at her project making the HIDOD history available online.

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Pupukahi

2026 pūpūkahi Volume 56 No. 1

January 27, 2026

pupukahi FEB 2026Download HAWAI‘I NATIONAL GUARD HING says ‘aloha’ to leaders Ceremonies were held for the retirements of  Maj. Gen. Roy Macaraeg, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Curtis Hiyane and Chief Master Sgt. Richard Costa Jr. Maj. Gen. Roy Macaraeg Maj….

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Pupukahi
2025 pūpūkahi | Volume 55 | No. 5

2025 pūpūkahi | Volume 55 | No. 5

December 1, 2025

pupukahi DEC 2025 FINALDownload HAWAI‘I NATIONAL GUARD Hawai‘i medical delegation teams up at Exercise Cope West 25 in Indonesia By Rachel Blaire | State of Hawai‘i Department of Defense Public Affairs A U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army medical delegation…

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Pupukahi
pupukahi V55 n 4 cover

2025 Pūpūkahi | Volume 55 | No. 4

September 30, 2025

pupukahi OCT 2025 FOR WEBDownload STATE OF HAWAI‘I DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE State responds to tsunami warning On July 29, a tsunami warning was in effect after a magnitude 8.0 earthquake occurred off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia. The Hawai‘i Emergency…

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DVIDS is a state-of-the-art, 24/7 operation providing a timely, accurate and reliable connection between the media around the world and the military serving worldwide.

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    Public Affairs Office

    Phone: (808) 441-7000

    Email: [email protected]

    Staff

    Meet the staff of the State of Hawaiʻi, Department of Defense (HIDOD) Public Affairs Office

    Maj (Ret) Jeff Hickman

    Director of Communication

    Retired Maj. Jeff Hickman

    Retired Maj. Jeff Hickman became the Director of Public Affairs for the State of Hawaiʻi, Department of Defense on Aug. 16, 2018. He serves as the principal communication advisor to the Hawaiʻi Adjutant General on communication strategy and public affairs requirements across all mission phases and domains. He served in the Kansas Army National Guard for 5 years and in the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard for 22 years as both a federal technician and a drill-status Soldier.

    Hickman graduated from the Kamehameha Schools at Kapalama and joined the Hawaii National Guard (HIARNG) in 1989 as a single channel radio operator. He then interstate transferred to Kansas and was a simultaneous servicemember while he attended college. He was commissioned through the ROTC program at the University of Kansas in 1994 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism.

    He joined the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard again as a drill status Soldier in 1996 and was a member of Headquarters, State Area Command’s Public Affairs Office and the 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD). Hickman commanded two units in the HIARNG, the 12th Personnel Services Detachment and the 117th MPAD. He retired as a Major in 2019 as a member of the Joint Force Headquarters, HIARNG.

    While in the HIARNG, Hickman participated in exercises such as Gema Bhakti, Tiger Balm, Cobra Gold, Makani Pahili and the Joint Readiness Training Center in 1999 with the 29th Brigade. Hickman deployed twice, once with the 29th Brigade Combat team in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III and then with the 117th MPAD in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

    In addition to federal mobilizations, Hickman served on several state missions and other notable state responses as the Deputy PAO or State PAO: Hawaiʻi Air National Guard F-15 crash in 2008, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in 2011, Puna lava flow in 2014, Kilauea lava flow and Hurricane Lane in 2018, TMT Protests in 2019, COVID-19 response in 2020, and most recently, the Maui Wildfires in 2023.

    Hickman currently works at the Diamond Head campus. He and his PAO staff supports the TAG with all levels of communication, informs the public, elected officials and the HING Force utilizing all platforms of communication and is prepared to conduct crisis communications during natural or man-made emergencies.

    He is married to Dani and is father to Jenna, Jacob, Kanani and Josh. He is a dogfather to Merry, Fauci and Kelce. Hickman loves the Kansas City Chiefs and is addicted to pickleball.