Retiree News

In August 1950, torrential rains unleashed a devastating flash flood upon the town of Waimea on the island of Kauaʻi. Swollen by days of relentless downpour, the Waimea River surged beyond its banks, cutting off the town from the rest of the island and endangering hundreds of lives. Homes were inundated, roads washed out and entire families found themselves trapped as the swirling waters closed in.

As the floodwaters rose, so too did the response from the Hawaiʻi National Guard. Approximately twenty volunteers from the 3^rd Battalion, 298^th Infantry — stationed on Kauaʻi — immediately sprang into action. Braving heavy winds and sheets of rain, Guardsmen from Headquarters Company, Company I and Company K manned military trucks and an amphibious DUKW vehicle (“D” signifies the 1942 production year, “U” denotes a utility or amphibious vehicle, “K”; indicates all-wheel drive, and “W”; represents two rear-drive axles. Essentially, it was a six-wheel-drive amphibious version of a two and half – ton truck) to carry out urgent rescue operations. Over the course of three harrowing days, they worked tirelessly, rescuing more than 80 residents who had been stranded and feared lost.

Meanwhile, the American Red Cross mobilized to provide shelter and relief to the flood evacuees. Supplies such as cots, blankets and clothing were urgently needed — but had to be flown in from Honolulu. Responding to the call, the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard’s 199^th Fighter Squadron quickly prepared a C-46 transport aircraft. Within just two and a half hours of the request, the aircraft was airborne, heading toward Kauaʻi with a full load of essential humanitarian supplies.

The selfless and professional actions of the Kauaʻi Guardsmen earned widespread praise. Hawaiʻi Gov. Ingram Stainback wrote to the unit expressing his gratitude:

“The task of evacuating residents of Waimea from the danger zone was accomplished in an efficient manner. Members of the Guard on Kauai demonstrated that they are able and willing to cooperate fully with other organizations such as the Red Cross and the County Government. They showed that the Guard is ready to serve in peacetime as well as in war.”

Brig. Gen. F.W. Makinney commended the Guardsmen for their “task splendidly performed,” while Col. R.L. Stevenson of the Regimental Combat Team stated, “The splendid cooperation and fine efficiency of the Kauai units upheld the tradition and reputation of the 298th Infantry Regiment.”

Though the floodwaters eventually receded, the memory of that storm and the heroism it summoned endures. The coordinated response between the Hawaiʻi Army and Air National Guard, the Red Cross and local civil agencies during the Waimea flood stands as a powerful reminder of how preparedness, teamwork, and dedication can transform crisis into community resilience.

References: 1950-1951 Annual Report, 1950 October The Hawaii Guardsmen, HANG 25 History of Hawaii Air National Guard

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