HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210617MO2DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: June 17, 2021
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
SARAH K. BLANE, CHIEF OF STAFF
(808) 241-4900
Mayor Kawakami thanks Hawai‘i National Guard members for keeping Kaua‘i safe
throughout the pandemic
LĪHUʻE - The Hawai‘i National Guard is scaling down COVID-19 response operations on Kaua‘i
now that the interisland quarantine has ended.
More than 100 guard members have been activated on Kaua‘i since the pandemic began in
March 2020. A majority of them came from other islands, leaving their friends and families behind for
months-long deployments.
Mayor Kawakami and senior county officials attended their send-off Thursday from Port Allen
Airport to thank the guard members.
“Kaua‘i maintained one of the lowest rates of COVID-19 in the United States thanks in large part
to the dedicated work and sacrifices of our Hawai‘i National Guard troops,” said Mayor Derek
Kawakami. “We couldn’t have done it without their countless hours of support. To all of our Guard
members from Kaua‘i and those who left their home islands to be here, mahalo nui loa for stepping up
to protect our community when we needed you.”
Hawai‘i National Guard members staffed the Līhuʻe airport, conducting temperature checks and
verifying passengers’ Safe Travels documentation or mandatory quarantine accommodations. They
worked with the Kaua‘i Police Department to ensure quarantine compliance by making unannounced
checks at locations around the island. They helped the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency answer
hundreds of phone calls every week from residents and visitors needing assistance with COVID-19
emergency rules. They assisted the county with mass testing efforts, and helped to distribute food to
families in need. National Guard medics stepped up to administer vaccine doses to Kaua‘i residents.
“As the last commander of Task Force Kauaʻi, it was my pleasure to lead and be amazed at the
partnership between members of Task Force Kauaʻi and the Kauaʻi County emergency management
team,” said Major Francis D. K. Lessett. “This pandemic has changed us all. Many hands made light work
of past stressful times and it taught us that together Guard, County, and our community could prevail to
see our island home restored. We take with us the memories of our mission and know the Garden Isle is
in good hands!”
Since the start of the pandemic, Hawai‘i National Guard members gave a total of 4,417 vaccine
doses to civilian Kaua‘i residents, conducted 92,324 traveler quarantine compliance checks, screened
203,798 passengers at the airport, and received and processed 12,837 phone calls at the county
Emergency Operations Center.
“As we start to reduce National Guard Operations based on the Kauaʻi Countyʻs success in
mitigating COVID-19, I want to thank Mayor Kawakami, his staff, and the people of Kauaʻi for their
hospitality and kindness in supporting our Guardsmen in their efforts to help Kauaʻi get back to a new
normal,” said Brig. Gen. Moses Kaoiwi, Jr., Joint Task Force Commander, Hawaii National Guard Joint
Task Force. “Our mission to protect our communities is the reason many of us joined and remain in the
Hawaiʻi National Guard. Your hospitality and support for the Hawaii National Guard is critical in
maintaining a force that is able respond to threats against our communities at a moment’s notice. Your
support means a lot to us and is what keeps us strong.”
Most guard members from O‘ahu, Maui County, or Hawai‘i Island departed Kaua‘i on Thursday,
June 17. For photos and video of their departure ceremony, click here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LDojWpusbDEMAO6wgds9PsfPboFJu8m9?usp=sharing.
Hawai‘i National Guard members also assisted with food distribution events on Kaua‘i:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gDiC-Nb-DkoASn8rMBvXaPGQBMa1HmKf/view?usp=sharing.
About 20 guard members who are Kauai residents will remain activated assisting at the airport
with temperature screening through Sept. 30, 2021.
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