MilitaryAPPRECIATION Lane closures for Local football standout Beach Fest set Honolulu Triathlon chooses Naval Academy for May 30 MONTH MAY 1-31 See page A-3 See page B-2 See page B-4 May 13, 2016 www.cnic.navy.mil/hawaii www.hookelenews.com Volume 7 Issue 18 Helo hovers over harbor U.S. Navy photo by MCC(SW) John M. Hageman On May 12 an AH-64 Apache from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade lands at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam en route to Wheeler Army Airfield. The Apaches are assigned to the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade from National Guard units as part of U.S. Army aviation restructuring. Seven Hawaii service members recognized Staff Sgt. Chris Hubenthal U.S. Pacific Command, said. “In addition to their regular duties Defense Media Activity – they’ve dedicated their time towards Forward Center Hawaii making our community a better place to live and in the process they’ve ac- Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet (center), speaks with Charles K. Hawaii Gov. David Ige and the complished their task,” Wendt said. Hyde, United Services Organization (USO) Pacific regional vice president (left) and Military Affairs Council (MAC) rec- In the Hawaiian culture, ohana Carlos Rowe (right), USO Hawaii Center director on May 11. ognized seven military members for means “family,” a word that some their sacrifices and achievements as might say these honorees epitomize part of Military Appreciation Month at through their efforts to give back to PACFLT commander lauds the Hawaii State Capitol, May 6. The the community. MAC worked with U.S. Pacific Com- In addition to wearing their uni- mand (PACOM) and service compo- forms, these men and women are USO’s support of Sailors, families nents to select the honorees. also youth coaches, JROTC mentors, Story and photo the answer is Sailors and their families. Ige said that it is important to high- Wounded Warrior volunteers, Red by MC2 Brian M. Wilbur That is exactly what the USO is charged light service members who go above Cross volunteers, and more. with supporting and exactly why the and beyond. Wendt congratulated the honorees U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs USO is so important.” “There are more than 50,000 for their efforts both on and off duty. The luncheon provided local pro- active duty military personnel in our “To the service members we’re Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. gramming updates to the USO council state, and they are an important part about to recognize on behalf of Ad- Pacific Fleet, expressed his appreciation and addressed future plans and strat- of our community,” he said. “Military miral Harris and PACOM, I thank for the work and support of the United egy throughout the region. Appreciation Month is an opportunity you for your exemplary service to our Services Organization (USO) during a “This is the 75th year of the USO. As for us to say mahalo to the men and nation and for stepping up and vol- working luncheon, May 11. we build upon the great support of the women that serve our nation and are unteering in this beautiful state and “The USO is a critical partner in ev- past and all of the things the USO has a part of Hawaii’s ohana.” for the people of these very special erything we do here in the Pacific be- provided to our forces in the conflicts “While selfless service is demon- islands,” Wendt said. cause it is all about people,” Swift said around the globe, we are looking for- strated by all of our service members, U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd during the event at Joint Base Pearl ward to the next 75 years,” said Charles the individuals being recognized to- Class Renee Cook, U.S. Marine Corps Harbor-Hickam. “People ask me what is K. Hyde, USO Pacific regional vice pres- day have truly gone the extra mile,” the most important resource that I have Maj. Gen. Eric Wendt, chief of staff, HAWAII > A2 assigned to me and, without a doubt, COMMANDER > A2 735th AMS Airman saves lives, awarded HFD Medal of Valor Story and photo by Kiser’s questions. Tech. Sgt. Aaron Oelrich Kiser then focused his atten- tion on the fire still burning in 15th Wing Public Affairs the apartment. “I knew the job was not On May 5, U.S. Air Force done yet,” said Kiser. “There Staff Sgt. Brent Kiser of the was still something burn- 735th Air Mobility Squadron, ing in the unit. I knew there was awarded Honolulu Fire were at least a couple dozen Department’s Medal of Valor other residents lived in the during a commendation cere- complex. I wanted to take mony at the Mokulele Fire Sta- care of the situation and elim- tion No. 8. inate the hazard so everyone Kirk Caldwell, mayor of Ho- was safe.” nolulu, along with the Honolulu Kiser grabbed a fire extin- Fire Department chiefs recog- guisher and went back into the nized seven members of the local Staff Sgt. Brent apartment. Smoke filled his community for acts of heroism. Kiser, 735th Air lungs and burned his eyes as he “You don’t know if you are a Mobility Squadron, searched for the source of the hero until you are tested,” Cald- receives The fire. well said. “But we know one Honolulu Fire “I entered the apartment a thing, today the people here are Department’s few more times to try and put true heroes of Hawaii.” Medal of Valor from out the fire,” Kiser said. “The Kiser received this high- Lionel Camara Jr., smoke was so thick that I est honor for his selfless act of Honolulu deputy couldn’t stay in the apartment bravery when he rescued his fire chief. very long. I was getting dizzy, neighbors from their burning coughing and having a hard apartment. While taking a break from alarm, and then ran back up could not see. I went through time seeing. I found the source The Medal of Valor is given studying to talk to his wife, to the unit and knocked on the the unit until I discovered an of the fire in the oven and extin- to individuals who have acted who is stationed at Kunsan Air door. I could see smoke coming unconscious man lying on the guished it.” with extreme heroism with- Base, Korea, he began to smell from the seams of the door. I bed.” After extinguishing the fire, out regard to personal safety. smoke in his apartment. Kiser knew I had to get in there.” Kiser dropped the fire extin- Kiser escorted the victim and Kiser was presented the Hono- went out to his balcony to in- Without hesitation, Kiser guisher, pulled the man from the rest of the residents down lulu Fire Department’s Medal vestigate. grabbed a fire extinguisher the building and laid him down to the parking lot of the com- of Valor for his actions on New “I saw black smoke billowing from the hall and kicked in the in the breezeway. With the plex, away from any potential Year’s Eve 2015. out of an apartment two floors door. Smoke immediately en- knowledge he gained as a self- danger. Red lights bounced off He was scheduled to work on below me,” Kiser said. “It was gulfed him. aid and buddy care instructor, the building walls and sirens New Year’s Day, so his plans for a serious moment and I knew “I had to get low because the he began to assess the man’s overpowered the chatter of the New Year’s Eve involved studying something had to be done. I smoke was extremely thick,” condition. After a few seconds residents as they watched the for his upcoming promotion test. ran downstairs, pulled the fire Kiser said. “I was coughing and the man began to respond to AIRMAN > A2 May 13, 2016 Ho‘okele A-2 This year’s winners: Lorna Mae Keaunui, NMCRS Pearl Harbor 2015 Volunteer of the Year Rebecca White, NMCRS 2015 Kaneohe Bay Volunteer of the Year Lynn Culp, NMCRS Pearl Harbor 2015 Kokua Award Julie Duszak, NMCRS Kaneohe Bay 2015 Kokua Award Lorna Mae Keaunui receives the NMCRS Pearl Harbor 2015 Volunteer of the Year award from Rear Adm. John Fuller, commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, during a ceremony at Hale Koa Hotel, May 9. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society honors volunteers Story and photo in financial assistance to more their outstanding service.” by Brandon Bosworth NMCRS annual fund drive continues than 2,000 clients. Since it was founded in 1904, Rear Adm. John Fuller, com- the Navy Marine Corps Relief Assistant editor, Ho‘okele The annual Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) mander, Navy Region Hawaii Society has provided more than Pearl Harbor fund drive has been extended through the end and Naval Surface Group Mid- $1.1 billion in interest-free Navy Marine Corps Relief So- of the month. This year’s theme is “By our own—for our own.” dle Pacific, spoke at the cere- loans and grants to more than ciety (NMCRS) held its annual Paul Belanger, director of NMCRS Pearl Harbor, hopes to mony. four million active duty and volunteer award ceremony May top the 2015 figure of $473,960 by the conclusion of the drive. “On behalf of all of the Sail- retired Sailors, Marines and 9 at the Hale Koa Hotel to rec- “We’re looking for a big final push,” he said. ors and Marines throughout their families. It is sponsored ognize commands and individ- Hawaii, I extend my sincere ap- by the Department of the Navy uals for their contributions to preciation for your continued and operates nearly 250 offices the charity.