In an effort to honor a Vietnam War hero from Hawaiʻi, Rep. Jill Tokuda recently introduced a bill to rename the Captain Cook Post Office on Hawaiʻi Island. The bill proposes to commemorate First Lieutenant John Kuulei Kauhaihao, a distinguished soldier who was posthumously awarded the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
Rep. Tokuda expressed her respect for Kauhaihao's bravery, "There are no amount of words to express my sincere gratitude to First Lieutenant Kauhaihao who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country and no words can express my deepest condolences to his family for their loss more than 50 years ago," according to a statement from her office. She added that veterans serve as heroes and role models, advocating that we must "honor and always remember the sacrifices they have made for our country."
On September 5, 1969, Kauhaihao was involved in a deadly engagement with enemy forces in Vietnam. As described by Maui Now, Kauhaihao courageously launched over 30 grenades at enemy bunkers and drew fire upon himself, which enabled his men to locate and target enemy positions. He succumbed to injuries sustained in this act of valor at the age of 27 and is survived by his widow and their four children.
Kauhaihao's family expressed gratitude for the initiative to honor his memory, with Shirley Kauhaihao, his widow, stating, "Our ʻohana is so grateful to Congresswoman Tokuda for introducing this bill to honor John’s memory and legacy of service to our country," as she reported to Maui Now. She emphasized the importance of the gesture in ensuring recognition not only for her late husband but also for all Vietnam War veterans, particularly those hailing from Hawaiʻi.
Support for the bill also came from Major General Kenneth Hara, Adjutant General of the State of Hawai‘i, who affirmed Kauhaihao's conduct as representing "the highest ideals of our military." His statement, shared with Maui Now, conveyed that naming the post office after Kauhaihao would be a lasting tribute to a man whose actions serve as inspiration to others. U.S. Rep. Ed Case (HI-01) has joined as an original cosponsor of the bill, which, if enacted, will mark the first time a Hawai‘i Island post office has been named after an individual since 2011.
