Coach, military trainer honored for work

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard reflected on her own military experiences Friday, when she stopped in Kailua-Kona to honor local coach and military trainer John Kaiwi for his work with West Hawaii military recruits.

Gabbard said she found incredible value from her instructors while training for the Hawaii Army National Guard and later at an accelerated officer training program. She said those experiences made her especially happy to bring a commendation from Congress to Kaiwi “to recognize your hard work and service for our next generation of leaders.”

Gabbard, who has also served in the state Legislature, joined the Guard in 2003, at a time when the military’s future was different from what new recruits now face, she said. She spoke with a few of those recruits, who are training and studying with Kaiwi. She said her initial experience left her a bit frustrated with leadership.

“Rather than throwing my hands up and leaving, I wanted to change it,” she said. That prompted her to enter an officer training program. “I learned many lessons and skills, how to understand the mission, how to achieve the mission. It’s the best job in the world to be a leader of soldiers.”

Her time in the military also contributed to her decision to run for national office, she said, where she can also affect change to military policies.

“It’s pretty cool to be able to take off this uniform,” she said, gesturing to her suit, “and put on the other one.”

Gabbard thanked Kaiwi several times for his volunteer work with young adults preparing for military service.

“The core values of service are and always will be there,” she said. “For me, that’s the best part.”

Kaiwi, a former U.S. Navy combat search and rescue swimmer, served on elite search and rescue detachments, SEAL and special operation classified missions.