Hawai‘i Air National Guard Engineers Deliver Power Solutions to Kauaʻi
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kamakanilawaiali‘i Pickering-Stevens works on a backup generator provided to the Kaua‘i Humane Society following the impacts of Hurricane Lowell in Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i, on Sept. 22, 2026. Photo courtesy: U.S. Army National Guard 1st Lt. Tesia Luu.
From providing power to critical facilities, like a medical facility serving dialysis patients, to local shelter housing hundreds of animals, personnel from the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard 154th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) applied their specialized electrical expertise to support essential community services on Kauaʻi following Hurricane Lowell.
The squadron’s capabilities became particularly valuable as the storm disrupted electricity across the island. Nearly 92% of Kauaʻi had lost power as of September 8, 2026, the morning after Hurricane Lowell toppled trees, power poles and electrical lines.
The first mission focused on a dialysis center in Līhuʻe, where dependable electricity was critical for patients.
For Master Sgt. Patrick Morales, the electrical systems shop superintendent, the mission was personal. “Assisting with providing power to the Kauaʻi dialysis center truly hit home for me,” Morales said. “I have family members who currently receive dialysis treatment, so I personally understand how important and critical their weekly dialysis treatments are. Dialysis treatments cannot simply be postponed without serious consequences, making reliable electricity essential to patient care.”
On Sept. 14, the dialysis center was able to return to commercial grid power and the 154th CES subsequently moved a generator to the Kauaʻi Humane Society, where the facility’s primary generator had become inoperable following the storm.
Staff Sgt. Kamakanilawaiali‘i Pickering-Stevens, an electrical power production journeyman, and his teammates came to the rescue.
“It was very important to keep the humane society up with power,” Pickering-Stevens said. “They have over 450 animals in their care. No electricity for refrigeration to keep the medicine and vaccines cool means it would put those animals at risk.”
Staff Sgt. Jerahmeel Cabahit, an electrical power production journeyman, said, “Our job is normally to provide reliable power to support our weapons systems and accomplish the military mission, but this was different. This time, we were using those same skills and equipment to directly support our own communities.”
These missions reinforced the connection between technical expertise and service to the public.
“As part of the generator team with the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard, I am proud to use my skills in service to the people of Hawai‘i,” Morales said. “This mission reminded me that our work goes beyond electrical systems, it is about helping our neighbors, supporting our communities and being there when Hawai‘i needs us most.”
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