Five years after the COVID-19 surge in Hawai‘i, the Hawai‘i National Guard’s role in the state’s response remains significant. The Guard was activated on April 6, 2020, and at its peak, the Hawai‘i National Guard's Joint Task Force included about 1,300 personnel. Their tasks ranged from COVID-19 mapping and testing in correctional facilities to logistics support, including constructing shelters and distributing food, according to the Office of the Governor.
The Guard was assigned to conduct temperature screenings at harbors and process Safe Travels applications at airports for incoming visitors. In response to the pandemic, they also supported community relief efforts, including staffing food banks and assisting with unemployment claim processing. Their work at testing and vaccination sites was acknowledged by local leaders and residents, as reported by the Office of the Governor.
Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara served as Hawai‘i's COVID-19 incident commander from the start of the pandemic until March 2022, overseeing the Hawai‘i National Guard's operations. The Guard played a key role in supporting the state’s response during the pandemic. On March 15, 2022, the Guard transitioned its remaining COVID-19 responsibilities back to the state, marking the end of the longest state activation in its history. Governor David Ige acknowledged "The Hawai‘i National Guard Soldiers and Airmen for their dedication, service and aloha throughout the pandemic," and Brig. Gen. Moses Kaoiwi Jr. also commended their efforts during this time, as stated by the Office of the Governor.
