HONOLULU – The Hawaii National Guard has concluded its response operations on Kauai and Oahu following the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Lala, while Soldiers and Airmen continue supporting recovery efforts on Hawaii Island and Maui.
At the height of the response, as many as 250 Hawaii National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were activated to support state and county emergency management agencies and provide critical capabilities to communities affected by the storm.
“Our Soldiers and Airmen answered the call to service, putting community first in support of response and recovery efforts during Tropical Cyclone Lala,” said Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, adjutant general of the Hawaii National Guard. “Their commitment to helping neighbors in need, from lifesaving rescues to damage assessments, reflect their dedication to help families begin to recover.”
Hawaii National Guard personnel worked alongside county emergency management officials and first responders as conditions improved and recovery operations began. National Guard liaison officers were embedded within county Emergency Operations Centers, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and the Honolulu Police Department Joint Operations Center to help coordinate requests for assistance and connect Hawaii National Guard capabilities with local needs.
As Tropical Cyclone Lala moved through the Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii National Guard personnel provided a range of emergency response and recovery capabilities, including high-water rescues and evacuations, debris clearance, delivery of donated supplies, damage assessments and aerial reconnaissance.
High-wheeled vehicle teams positioned on Hawaii Island assisted 16 residents and rescued two emergency medical paramedics who became stranded by the floodwaters.
On Hawaii Island, the response continues in the remote Kau District, where Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Hawaii National Guard’s 93rd Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Enhanced Response Force Package, or 93rd CERFP, partnered with the Hawaii Fire Department to conduct door-to-door safety and wellness checks.
“What we saw when we first came out to site was all the landslides from the top of the cemetery and down to the main road. So we knew that already that there are going to be a lot of uneven spaces, a lot of rubble piles,” said Senior Master Sgt. Hyurn Chu, 154th Force Support Squadron, a member of the 93rd CERFP.
As of Aug. 21, teams visited more than 320 homes, checking on residents and helping identify needs in communities affected by the storm.
The Hawaii National Guard continues to support Maui County’s recovery efforts by integrating personnel into eight joint damage assessment teams. The teams completed 11 comprehensive assessments of storm-affected areas, providing local officials with information to help arrange recovery needs.
Senior state and county leaders also conducted an aerial assessment flight to survey widespread storm damage. The flight included the Hawaii governor, Hawaii County mayor and Logan, providing an aerial perspective of affected communities and infrastructure.
While the Hawaii National Guard has concluded its response operations on Kauai and Oahu, personnel remain ready to support Hawaii and Maui counties as recovery efforts continue.
The Hawaii National Guard continues to coordinate with county emergency management agencies and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency for additional requests for assistance. The Hawaii National Guard also is monitoring Tropical Storm Moke and has begun positioning assets in preparation for potential impacts on the state.
“We are preparing for Tropical Storm Moke by proactively repositioning personnel and equipment based on the latest forecast. This deliberate staging of our capabilities ensures we can rapidly respond to the hardest-hit areas the moment emergency requests for assistance are received from state and county managers,” said Brig. Gen. Damon Hogsten, director of the Joint Staff, Hawaii National Guard.
The experience gained from previous disaster responses, such as the Kona Low Storms in March, is helping shape the Hawaii National Guard’s approach to Tropical Storm Moke.
“By continuously applying lessons learned from previous disasters, we have refined our response tactics. A key example is the close integration of our high-wheeled vehicle teams with local police and fire departments, ensuring life-saving assets are deployed precisely where they are needed most,” Hogsten said.
The response reflects the Hawaii National Guard’s dual mission of serving the people of Hawaii during times of crisis while maintaining readiness to fight and win America’s wars as part of the nation’s defense.