NEWS RELEASE: Hawaiʻi National Guard Supports Communities During Hurricane Nolo

September 29, 2026

#2026-013

HONOLULU - Hawaiʻi National Guard (HING) members were mobilized across the state in preparation for Hurricane Nolo, pre-positioning personnel, specialized vehicles and emergency response capabilities on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Kauaʻi. On Hawaiʻi Island, Task Force Hawaiʻi conducted five high-water rescue missions Saturday, Sept. 26, rescuing 19 civilians from areas affected by flooding and transporting them to a shelter in Nāʻālehu.

"This is exactly why we posture our personnel and equipment before a storm arrives," said the Hawaiʻi Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan. "Our soldiers and airmen were ready to move when the call came - and they were quickly able to help get people out of dangerous conditions and to a safe location."

The missions demonstrated the importance of positioning Guard personnel and equipment ahead of the storm, allowing HING forces to respond quickly as conditions changed and county agencies requested assistance.

"We had been preparing for this storm for a while so when we got the call, we were ready to respond immediately," said Sgt. Kana'i Coyaso, high-water vehicle team member. "We were able to reach the person on foot and escort them from their home to the back of the high-water vehicle. In that moment, you're not thinking about anything else, you're focused on getting that person out. Once we reached them, our priority was making sure everyone made it back to safety."

More than 450 Hawaiʻi National Guard members were positioned statewide ahead of Hurricane Nolo. On Hawaiʻi Island, approximately 120 soldiers and airmen assigned to Task Force Hawaiʻi were prepared to support Hawaiʻi County, with six High-Water Vehicle Teams (HWVT) staged at Keaukaha Military Reservation in Hilo.

On Maui, Hawaiʻi National Guard personnel and five HWVTs were positioned in coordination with Maui County emergency management and first responders, prepared to respond to flooding, road closures and other emergency needs.

The statewide posture was coordinated with the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, county emergency management agencies, fire and police departments, and state and federal partners. Pre-positioning personnel and equipment allowed the HING to maintain response capabilities across multiple islands while concentrating resources where the storm created the greatest immediate need.

The response to Nolo also built on the HING's experience supporting communities affected by Hurricane Lala and Lowell. Many Hawaiʻi Island communities remained vulnerable to additional flooding, because of the saturated ground, making advance positioning of personnel and specialized equipment particularly important.

"We don't wait for the emergency to happen before we begin preparing," Logan said. "The relationships and communication that we have with the mayors and county emergency managers during 'blue skies' are important. It allows us to anticipate needs and execute exercised plans."

The Guard's High-Water Vehicle Teams provide trained personnel and specialized vehicles capable of operating in flooded areas where conventional vehicles may not be able to safely travel. HING teams work under the direction of civil authorities and are deployed when requested to support life-safety and emergency response missions.

"Our Guardsmen are integrated with the Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency and we had our vehicles staged in strategic positions around the island," said Hawai'i Task Force Commander, Maj. Keoki Leong. "Though Hurricane Nolo did not make landfall, some flooding and high winds still impacted Hawai'i County causing damage and that kept us 'at the ready.' supporting throughout the night. I am proud of our readiness for Hurricane Nolo and the Guard's support to our county when they need it."

The statewide response also included coordination with federal partners as emergency management agencies prepared for the storm. Federal emergency assistance was approved via a signed pre-landfall Presidential Emergency Declaration to support emergency protective measures associated with Hurricane Nolo, including search-and-rescue capabilities, communications, generators, transportation, water, meals and other emergency response needs.

As Hurricane Nolo moved away from the Hawaiian Islands, Hawaiʻi National Guard personnel remain prepared to support state and county agencies with damage assessments, debris clearance and more. The HING will continue Lala and Nowell recovery operations on Kaua'i and Hawai'i Island.

The HING's ability to respond quickly is supported by the readiness of its soldiers and airmen, as well as the continued support by their families, employers and communities.

HING Photos and Video B-Roll

Credit: Hawaiʻi National Guard

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Media Contact:
Retired Maj. Jeffrey D. Hickman
Director, Public Affairs
State of Hawai'i, Department of Defense
Office: 808-441-7000
Direct: 808-779-8008
Email: [email protected]