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CAPTAIN COOK — The U.S. Postal Service and the office of Rep. Jill Tokuda held a dedication ceremony on Saturday at the Captain Cook Post Office in honor of Army 1st Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao, who was killed in action on Sept. 5, 1969, in the Tay Ninh Province of the Republic of Vietnam.

This ceremony dedicated the facility located at 82–6110 Mamalahoa Highway in Captain Cook as the ‘‘Army 1st Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao Post Office Building.’’

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Participants included Tokuda, Shirley Kauhaihao (Lt. Kauhaihao’s widow), Hawaii District Manager Eileen Veach, Manager Post Office Operations Kialani Vasapolli-Carreira, and Captain Cook Officer in Charge Tabitha Ogden.

“It is an honor to be here today to dedicate this office to First Lieutenant John Kuulei Kauhaihao,” said Veach. “His bravery is an inspiration to us. The Postal Service is one of the largest employers of veterans. And it’s because of this connection with our veteran employees that this dedication is so special for our office and teammates here.”

Legislation to designate the post office building as the “Army 1st Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao Post Office Building” was introduced in June of 2024 by Tokuda. On Jan. 4, 2025, President Joe Biden signed the bill into law.

“I am so grateful and proud of this much-deserved tribute to Lieutenant Kauhaihao, and was honored to join generations of his ‘ohana for this momentous event,” Tokuda said. “Although we can never repay Lieutenant Kauhaihao for bravely sacrificing his life so that his men — and all Americans — could continue to live in freedom, this honor will help ensure his courage, heroism and legacy will be remembered in the community where his family members still live for generations to come.”

Kauhaihao was fatally injured when his platoon came under fire during an operation of the Vietnam War. He expertly directed his men and launched more than 30 hand grenades at the enemy, enabling his platoon to get sight of enemy gunners and return fire. He recovered vital equipment and helped wounded soldiers to get to safety.

As the enemy advanced, Kauhaihao advanced to engage them and was mortally wounded.

On May 4, 1970, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism.

This is the first post office in Hawaii designated since 2011 and the first in Hawaii designated in honor of a Vietnam War veteran or an individual of Native Hawaiian descent.

“I would like to say how truly honored we are to be the first post office building on the big island of Hawaii to be dedicated in honor of a veteran,” said Ogden. “It is truly special for the Captain Cook Post Office to be renamed for Army First Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao.”