KAPA‘A — Capt. Wesley Kawakami had the distinction of presenting Hawai‘i National Guard Certificates of Appreciation to some of Kaua‘i’s citizens and organizations on his first day in his new position. Milton Oshiro of the Hawai‘i National Guard Family Readiness
KAPA‘A — Capt. Wesley Kawakami had the distinction of presenting Hawai‘i National Guard Certificates of Appreciation to some of Kaua‘i’s citizens and organizations on his first day in his new position.
Milton Oshiro of the Hawai‘i National Guard Family Readiness Group program said Kawkami took control of the Kaua‘i unit Saturday and the presentations done at the Kapa‘a Armory were one of the first things he did in his new role.
The certificates were presented to citizens and organizations for contributions and support to the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team soldiers and their families on Kaua‘i during the unit’s mobilization and deployment in 2008 and 2009.
Aida Cruz, the Kaua‘i Veterans Center events coordinator, said the Freedom Salute Ceremony was held on Jan. 10 for soldiers returning from deployment.
Initially, no reception for the soldiers was planned, but after Cruz sent out letters inquiring about the possibility of sponsoring a reception, there was a tremendous response.
“We received such an overwhelming response, it is unfortunate that a lot of the sponsors could not make it here to accept their certificates,” Cruz said.
In addition to the people at the armory celebration, Cruz said the following helped with the Freedom Salute Ceremony.
Kodani & Associates, William Honjiyu, Richard “Soupbone” Kashiwabara, Elizabeth “Aunty Suzy” Kaohi, Richard and Joye Irwin, Rose and Lester Chang, Evelyn Lechner, Steven Fontana, Jaye Gayagas-Youn, Ruben Carrera of Menehune Water, Jackie Wong of Omoide Restaurant, Chef Cory Dotario of Duke’s Canoe Club, Mama Lucy’s Kitchen, Roland Tacsiat of Kaua‘i Bakery, Chef Ben Takahashi of the Sheraton Kaua‘i, Chef Mark Oyama of Mark’s Place and Contemporary Flavors Catering, and Rob Silverman of Rob’s Good Time Grill.
Kawakami said of all of the places in Hawai‘i he’s served, he has found the Kaua‘i people to be especially supportive of the Nationa Guard unit.
“I’ve been to Maui and the O‘ahu units where there are a lot more people,” Kawakami said. “But on Kaua‘i, the support is truly great and it makes me feel good to be here.”
