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In the Military
Gregg K. Kakesako
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STAR-BULLETIN / JANUARY 2008
The Hawaii National Guard prepares to load vehicles onto the Hawaii Superferry for transport to Maui in January where the Guard helped clean up after high winds struck Maui in December 2007.
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Isle Guard to receive honorary ceremony
The Hawaii National Guard will be recognized tomorrow at a special presentation during a session of the state Legislature beginning at noon.
Rep. Mark Takai, a major in the Hawaii Army National Guard who is coordinating the presentation, said various units of the Hawaii Air and Army National Guard will be recognized for their efforts during three natural disasters that occurred in Hawaii over the past three years. The Hawaii Air and Army National Guard provided support after the Ka Loko dam breach on Kauai in March 2006, the Big Island earthquakes in October 2006 and the high winds that struck Maui in December 2007.
The Hawaii National Guard was instrumental in bringing large water pumps from the Big Island to Kauai to divert dam pressure, the moving of a back hoe into the Honokane Nui Valley on the Big Island to restore water flow, and removing 144 tons of debris from Maui.
Sen. Daniel Akaka, chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs will be on the neighbor islands to provide benefits information and claims assistance for veterans and their families. Last year, the VA made similar neighbor island visits after being prompted by a letter from Akaka to VA Undersecretary for Benefits Daniel L. Cooper. Akaka expressed his concern that neighbor island visits had been curtailed, asked for an explanation, and encouraged Cooper to reinstate the visits.
On Kauai, officials will be at the Kauai Vet Center at 3-3367 Kuhio Highway, Suite 101 on the third Wednesday of every month. The dates for the next four visits are March 19, April 16, June 21 and July 18.
On Maui, officials will use the Maui Vet Center at 35 Lunalilo St., Suite No. 101 on the second Thursday of every month. The next four visits are April 10, May 8 and June 12.
On the Big Island, officials will be at the Kona and Hilo Vet Centers. Kona's Vet Center is located at 73-4976 Kamanu St., Suite 207; representatives will visit Kona on the fourth Wednesday of every month. The next four visits are March 26, April 23, May 28 and June 25.
Hilo's Vet Center is at 126 Puuhonu Way Suite 2; Hilo visits will be on the first Wednesday of every month. Those next four visits are April 2, May 7, June 4 and July 2.
Molokai and Lanai are visited on a quarterly basis.
MOVING UP
» Schofield Barracks: Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Parenteau has assumed command of the 26th Infantry Division Band, relieving Chief Warrant Officer Jesse Pascua.
"In the Military" was compiled from wire reports and other sources by reporter
Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin. He can be reached by phone at 294-4075 or by e-mail at
gkakesako@starbulletin.com.