History of SFA Chapter 8 Hawaii - The Longest Continuous Serving Chapter in the World
A Storied History (Legacy) of Special Forces and Hawaii
The Hawaii Chapter of the Special Forces Association (SFA) claims the distinction of being the oldest continuously active Chapter in the world. There are other Chapters that may have organized before November of 1972, but they had breaks in their active association. Since its approval by SFA in 1972, the Master Sergeant Earl Kalani Memorial Chapter VIII (8) Hawaii has continued to meet monthly and publish a Chapter newsletter called the “Coconut Wireless” without any interruptions even during the COVID pandemic.
Chapter VIII’s Roots and Beginning
The Chapter was born from a membership of active duty and reserve Special Forces (SF) soldiers living in Hawaii during the last years of the Vietnam War. Special Forces and Hawaii have been indispensably linked since the earliest years of US Army Special Forces when sixteen specially picked SF troops from the 77th Special Forces Group (SFG) at Fort Bragg, NC were assigned to Fort Shafter, Hawaii (HI) in June 1956. This was the beginning of an ever-expanding SF presence in the Pacific and Asia. The 14th Special Forces Operational Detachment (SFOD) was undercover as 8251st Army Service Unit consisting of three Officers/13 Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) which included an Hawaiian NCO; Specialist 5 (Spec 5) Earl Kalani. Soon after, three other SFODs were sent to Japan and, in June 1957, were collocated on Okinawa to form the 1st SFG.
The 1st and 77th (changed to the 7th SFG in May 1960) furnished the vanguard of the SF presence in Vietnam starting in 1957. SF success at unconventional warfare (UW) led to expansion of the SF community in the US Army and activation of SF United States Army Reserve (USAR) units in Hawaii in the early 1960s. The 329 SFOD (USAR) became the 24th SF Reserve group at Fort DeRussy (Waikiki) in January 1961. The 24th SFG (USAR) linked its training to the 1st SFG in Okinawa to tap the experience gained from its constant temporary duty (TDY) deployments to Vietnam where it was recruiting and organizing the Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) program with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). A close bond developed between the Hawaii-based Reservists and the 1st SFG with a cross flow of personnel. In times when funding issues restricted 24th SFG personnel from going to Fort Bragg for SF qualification training, the 1st SFG would substitute an in-house certification program for the 24th SFG (USAR) troopers. As the US Army SF buildup matured, the need for SF Reserve units declined and the 24th SFG (USAR) was inactivated in January 1966 and replaced with 40th SF Detachment (Det) B (USAR).
Chapter VIII’s patriarch and one of the ten founding members also has deep roots with the earliest days of SF. COL (Ret) James “Jim” Bolan (SFA member # D-95) was recruited for the 77th SFG soon after its formation but although assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, he had orders to Korea with the 3rd Infantry Division. Upon his return to Fort Bragg from Korea at the end of 1954, he became SF qualified and joined the 77th SFG until transferring to the 1st SFG in Okinawa in 1958. During his three-year assignment, he completed a deployment to Vietnam. Returning to Fort Bragg until the mid-1960s, he helped establish the Special Warfare Center. In 1966 he was assigned to the 5th SFG in Vietnam.
Jim arrived on the island of Oahu, Hawaii in June 1969, he was assigned to Headquarters (HQ), United States Army Reserve (USAR) Advisor Group (Gp) with an initial assignment as Deputy Commander (XO) of the advisor group having many reserve units such as IX Army Corps, 322 Civil Affairs Group, 100th Infantry Battalion (Bn), an Engineer Construction Bn, a Signal Company (Co), the USAR School Pacific and last but not least the 40th Special Forces (SF), Det B (ODB) with three A-Teams (ODAs).
His assignment to Hawaii can be looked upon as a milestone event in Chapter VIII’s legacy. Many of the incumbent advisors had become comfortable with the Hawaii lifestyle with motivation and initiative somewhat lacking. He recognized many of the junior officers, while having professional attitudes and abundant energy, lacked experience while advising very experienced, educated Senior NCOs and NCOs.
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Bolan used his senior advisor position to bring change for increasing operations effectiveness. Recognizing and knowing available local talent, he began appointing quality SF NCOs into key positions. These NCOs became the backbone of their units and created an informal working SF organization around the island. He assigned NCOs Earl Kalani and Joseph (BW “Gunboat”) Smith to take over the Advisor Gp operations section (S-3). In 1971 the Army announced the 40th SF unit would be demobilized. This became an opportunity for Jim Bolan to retire to his island paradise of Hawaii.
During this period, the members of the 40th SF would socialize during drill weekends. Jim would use these events to advocate for becoming SFA members. On one such Friday social event, he advocated starting a local chapter. Applying for a charter required ten dues (current) paying members on the application. There was strong support from the group but getting the required qualified ten members was an initial challenge. Some, whose dues had lapsed, had to have their reinstatement dues ($18) “loaned” to meet the quota. The founding ten members were (in alphabetical order) Nelson Ahina (USAR), James R. Bolan (active-duty SF), Vernon Broad (USAR), John Carvalho (USAR), William Ferguson (USAR), Earl Kalani (active-duty SF), James Roach (USAR), Robert Silva (active-duty SF), Joseph BW “Gunboat” Smith (active-duty SF) , and Paul Tracy (active-duty SF). The Chapter VIII (8) application was approved in November 1972.
When the 40th SFG demobilization time arrived, many SF qualified SNCOs were assigned to various Hawaii-based headquarters and the 25th Infantry Division. Many members looked for assignments on their own, were forgiven their remaining commitments, or just disappeared. Meanwhile, Chapter VIII had a recruiting wizard named MSG William Coombs (D-448). Bill was able to screen all records of US Army units in Hawaii for potential qualified recruits. He was persuasive in enticing many to join SFA chapters with emphasis on Chapter VIII. The result was a substantial increase in Chapter membership to over two hundred. Success led the Chapter to initiate a robust agenda of community involvement and interaction, and activities, many of which continue today. The centerpiece annual event became a traditional Hawaiian “Luau.”
Chapter VIII’s Years of Involvement- Luau
This tradition had high priority with the lineage of SF Reserve units filled with local Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. The “Luau” was adopted by Chapter VIII and became its central social event of the year well into the 1980s. It grew until it was hosting over 600 people, after all, who could resist an all-you-can-eat luau and unlimited drinks for only $12. The Chapter instituted a fund-raising “raffle” program. Tickets would be sold to members and their supporters. Mostly through the efforts of five to eight Chapter members who resided in Waikiki, the effort expanded to locals and tourists who could use their tickets to attend. The “raffle sellers” would frequent many of the smaller Waikiki bars and were hugely successful in selling (usually in 5-ticket books) enough to make the Chapter cash position comfortable enough to fund all the Chapter’s programs and donate to approved worthy community causes.
Over the years, decline in membership necessitated changes in name, scope, and timing of the original “Luau.” The end of the Vietnam War brought loss of Fort DeRussy as a home base for the Chapter and its scope became a reduced effort early in the year “Spring Fling” or “Steak Fry” emphasizing fellowship with food and drink while the fund raising became a separate event in the middle of the year with emphasis on a Vegas-style game day to win “chits” to bid on prizes (purchased and donated). This “Summer Bash,” participation declined also and usually averaged no more than 50 participants requiring a reduction in scope and timing as the abilities and schedules of the organizers were reduced by age and numbers also. The “Summer Bash” migrated to later in the year and aligned to an Octoberfest-themed “Fall Fest” until cancellation by the COVID Pandemic when it was replaced with a call for donations from the membership. Conditions have changed and the Chapter is considering a return to a “Luau” style event again.
Chapter VIII’s Years of Involvement- ROTC
It is important to note that in Hawaiian history, a warrior tradition goes back to before one tribal chief (King Kamehameha) united all the islands of Hawaii. The US made Pearl Harbor and Hawaii a strategic link in the country’s national defense and the military footprint is considerable. It is a natural condition for Hawaii’s youth to grow up having strong ties to the military. The result has been a robust Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program in most of Hawaii’s high schools. A key charter member, Sergeant Major (SGM) Robert “Lopaka” Silva (D-757), had secured a position in the Farrington High School JROTC department before moving to a state-level position. His influence over twenty-plus years, was significant in the filling of similar positions at seven other Hawaii High Schools with quality instructors, most of whom were experienced SF NCO retirees. At his retirement he had increased from seven programs to nineteen.
As the American public’s frustration with the war in Vietnam increased, a small but determined activist movement began pressing for the elimination of all Hawaii high school JROTC and the Senior ROTC program at the University of Hawaii (UH) where both the officer and senior NCO were SF qualified. A coalition of the, by now, considerable island-wide SF organization led first by members of the 40th SF Det. B, school instructors, members of the other numerous veteran organizations, and then with the formation of Chapter VIII formed a united front against the influential, politically connected activists. Not only were the JROTC programs retained but the struggle actually resulted in an increase in schools requesting programs.
Ground Zero for anti-war sentiment (in numbers) in Hawaii was on campus at UH. The student movement was led by a professor named Neal Abercrombie who, after his time as an “educator” became a professional Hawaiian politician (U.S. Representative and Hawaii State Governor). The protest movement organized demonstrations at the Honolulu Airport to “greet” contract transport flights to and from Vietnam which were considerable since aircraft in those days required refueling and Honolulu was a prime Rest and Recuperation (R&R) destination for Vietnam-based troops (mostly those married to meet their wives).
On 26 February 1971, protestors set fire to the ROTC building on the UH campus and formed a cordon around the area to prevent firefighters from entering. Campus security was overwhelmed. Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Julian “Corn Beef” Haleamau (D-402) was the SF Active-Duty Senior NCO instructor at the time and contacted the Hawaii SF network to organize an intervention and save the building. He argued that if a few protestors got a just kicking, all the better. 40th SF Reserve member and Honolulu policeman SGM Vernon Broad (D-557) argued against intervening as he reasoned it was what the protestors wanted, and the publicity might backfire badly on SF. He prevailed and the intervention came from on-campus. The UH football coach was Larry Price (to become a long time leading local radio talk show host) and, to his credit, he called out the football team to escort and provide security for the firefighters until law enforcement arrived. It was very fortunate no one was injured but it was estimated damage at seventy thousand dollars (in 1970s dollars) and 200 M-16 rifles.
It was during this period when the strongest of bonds between Chapter VIII and support for the state’s Army ROTC programs was cemented. In 1974 the Chapter began an annual award program to identify and recognize a cadet from each Army ROTC school program using SF standards for professional conduct, excellence, and leadership. Over the years, the Chapter also sponsored various competitions to foster cadet excellence and teamwork. SGM (Ret.) “Lopaka” Bob Silva (D-757) directed the Chapter’s program until his passing in 2021. As the various school JROTC programs reconstituted and resumed more normal activities following the COVID pandemic era, non-Army program schools approached SGM Silva’s replacement, LTC (Ret) Jacinto “Jay” Ledee (M-2541), to request inclusion in the Chapter’s award program. Each high school can elect to have a JROTC program or not and if electing to institute a program, elects which branch of the Armed Forces with which to be affiliated. Unlike Senior ROTC programs that have ability for students to pick a service affiliation, Hawaii’s high school students must enroll in the program of their school. Chapter VIII recognized the oversight of excluding worthy candidates and now includes all JROTC schools (regardless of service affiliation) wishing to participate in the Chapter’s awards program. Chapter VIII will be supporting 26 JROTC and one Senior ROTC (UH) school programs in 2023.
ROTC is but only one of the many programs and activities that benefited from funding by a tradition that started even before the formation of Chapter VIII. The “Luau” is a traditional Hawaiian celebration for family and community gathering and cohesiveness. the Luau could really attract a crowd in Summer on Waikiki. A multi-talented work force was needed to make the Luau a success. The ladies, family members and friends would spend three to four days preparing all kinds of delicacies whereas a crew of highly trained members would secure a pig, prepare a pit in the ground called an “Imu” and start an 18–24-hour roasting over hot rocks until perfection. Adding support with tables, chairs and decorations involved required a high level of effort. Live entertainment would be provided by always available talented reservists or Chapter members on string base, ukulele, and/or keyboards. Serenades and hula dancers would complete the events transformation into a spectacular gala. While most of the original players have left the scene, the memories referred to as “talking story” in “the islands” get often retold by those remaining.
Chapter VIII’s Years of Involvement- Kalani
The relationship between SF Reserve and Chapter VIII was seamless as long as Fort DeRussy was available as a home base. The post was being used by the USAR Advisor Gp, the HI State Draft Center, the Army’s Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) organization as a Recreation Center for the Vietnam R&R program, and Army post housing. Jim Bolan had appointed Specialist 5 (Spec5) Earl Kalani to the S-3 office of the Advisors Group. Specialist Kalani had come back to Hawaii under trying circumstances but used his talents and his abilities to make significant contributions to the USAR community with his vast experience in SF. Entering Army service in 1951, he was an early member of the 77th SFG at Fort Bragg. He utilized his time in the 77th SFG, to qualify in all the SF NCO specialties for an ODA. He not only qualified but, in every case, with superior qualification grades. After a highly competitive selection process, he was selected to be one of the original thirteen enlisted of SFOD 14 sent to Fort Shafter in 1956. His time in Hawaii was short-lived as he became part of the original 1st SFG in Okinawa in 1957. During his time with the 1st SFG, he deployed multiple times to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
On his fourth deployment to Vietnam in 1967 with ODA-323, 5th SFG (Phu Bai) MSG Kalani intervened in an attempted assassination of his team leader by a CIDG infiltrator to cover a thrown grenade that left him severely wounded and requiring a medical evacuation to Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. His wounds were so severe, the Army was preparing to separate him with total disability. In order to remain an asset to the Army, he entered a rigorous rehabilitation program and contacted some associates in the local SF Reserves. Administration strings were pulled, the Army’s SF Branch assignment office was contacted, and when released from TAMC, he would be assigned again in Hawaii.
Successfully avoiding a disability retirement, he was now a staff NCO in the Reserves. Despite complications from his wounds and multiple surgeries on a shattered leg, he would push physical therapy treatment and not only plan training exercises for the 40th SF Det. B but then go participate and usually excel at standards above the troops. He finally succumbed to complications from his injuries in 1974 and is buried in Punchbowl, the National Military Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP). In his almost 23 years of service, among his decorations was the Silver Star, Bronze Star with V device (1OLC) and Purple Heart (3OLC). An example to follow for all, Hawaii honored him by having a new Fort DeRussy two-story Reserve building across from the NCO Club named Earl Kalani Center and by the 1st SFG with Kalani Street on Fort Lewis, Washington. It was very soon after his passing that the Chapter voted to dedicate its name to his memory.
Chapter VIII’s Years of Involvement- Saving Fort DeRussy (Hale Koa)
With the drawdown and planned withdrawal from Vietnam, the need for an R&R Center and SF Reserves diminished and more serious threats to Chapter VIII’s Fort DeRussy home base appeared. There had always been intense pressure on the Defense Department by political and business interest groups to allow commercial development of the post. Developers took the Vietnam drawdown as an opportunity to apply maximum pressure to secure the Fort DeRussy Post/Reservation land for commercial use. This group of prominent, politically connected developers lobbied to have the prime beachfront property be commercialized as a civilian business project. In the meantime, the Army was planning the removal or replacement of most (if not all) the posts structures. The developers used a review process for U.S. Army Engineer District- HI’s tentative planning for a 100-room recreation center at Fort DeRussy to press their case.
A meeting was organized for the twelve-member committee of the Command Welfare Fund (CWF), US Army Pacific (USARPAC) which had jurisdiction over development of this area. The subject of the meeting was to make a recommendation as to the area’s future development. The developers had attempted to “stacked” the meeting room with supporters’ while the Engineer’s proposal was only represented by their commander. Following the presentations by the engineer commander and the hotel industry lobbyist, a representative of IX Corps HQ (Reserve) requested to speak. He was SGM Vernon Broad, a Chapter VIII charter member and former 40th SF SGM. He made an impassioned, convincing argument by accurately researching and rendering the developer’s history of tremendous profits generated over the years from the military and the Vietnam Rest & Recuperation (R&R) program and casting doubt on the sincerity of their pledges to provide subsidies and special accommodation to military personnel once they had control over the property. As proof, he pointed to the demonstrated fact that the developers were willing to push aside the Engineer’s soldier-related project that would benefit all military personnel.
The resulting applause helped seal an eight to four vote in favor of the engineer project, which upon being forwarded to USARPAC, was approved. Unknown to either the developers or the Army engineers, the room was filled with representatives of many of the USAR units- nearly all of whom were former members of the 40th SF Det. B. Additionally, of the CWF’s twelve members, three were SF Reservists, three were compatriots from Reserve Headquarters and four other prominent members of Hawaii’s military and civilian communities. The Engineer’s project facility plan is now known as the Hale Koa Military Hotel. This all-ranks vacation paradise, opened in October 1975, is available to our military world-wide, provides a lush green oasis in the heart of Waikiki, and has since doubled in size and maintains an over 90% occupancy rate.
Chapter VIII’s Years of Involvement with the Community of Waianae
Chapter VIII’s legacy is inextricably intertwined with the cultures of the Pacific native people. The SF Reserves in Hawaii were filled with a diverse cross section of the many ethnic groups of the melting pot known as Hawaii. Besides adopting the “Luau,” Chapter VIII inherited a close relationship with the large native community in Waianae on the “leeward” (western) coast of Oahu where many of the SF Reserve and chapter members resided. Starting in 1977, Waianae invited Chapter VIII to march in their Veterans Day Parade through town. Army MWR maintains the Pililaau Army Recreation Center on a nearby beach and Chapter members would reserve rooms to gather the night before. Chapter member Ernest “Ernie” Leong (D-2438) had connections with the MWR center and would facilitate enough reservations at “special rates.” The largest cabin, Harvey House, was always used for the Chapter’s renowned chef’s John “Johnny” Mahoe Jr. (M-3306) and Apolonia “Sindi” Sindiong (M-4369) to prepare a hot buffet meal for the next morning arrivals by vehicle. Following the parade, the Chapter would hold its monthly meeting and gather for a toast to a former chapter member Dennis Madeira (M-3629) honored on the center grounds with a memorial rock and plaque. Johnny Mahoe cultivated his association with the Waianae Community by also obtaining sponsorship for donated foodstuffs from a local grocery, Tamura Supermarket, for our activities. This tradition continued for almost 30 years. When the Chapter was forced to stop its parade participation in 2013 due to an insufficient number of members either able to march or even climb into a deuce and a half, it also ended the long relationship with Tamura’s Supermarket.
Accommodation to Geography: “Big Island” Chapter 43
In the mid-70s, when Chapter VIII membership was at its highest level (250+), a significant number were residing on the island of Hawaii. Locals call it the “Big Island” to reduce the confusion over the state (eight separate islands) being named Hawaii. Chapter member Jason “Woody” Woodworth (D-876) was a long time SF member with extensive active-duty SF assignments prior to his retirement. With Pacific Islander (Samoa) heritage but native to Hawaii, Woody envisioned a “Big Island” chapter. His proposed plan included a number of Oahu-based Chapter VIII members relocating to the “Big Island.” The resulting numbers appeared to justify a viable SFA chapter there. At the time, the SFA-approved charter for Chapter VIII granted Chapter VIII’s domain as “the State of Hawaii.” SFA’s national headquarters notified Woody that to form a second chapter in Hawaii, he would require permission from Chapter VIII.
During a Chapter VIII monthly meeting, Woody presented his plan and asked for the required permission. Chapter VIII took the required steps to inform the membership of the request, solicited comments, and made it a topic for the next month’s meeting. After all views had been aired, the membership voted on and approved the permission request. Along with the permission letter, the Chapter approved giving Woody’s new chapter five hundred dollars to support start-up costs.
Woody had the required organizational skills and with his extensive contacts within the SF Community made implementation of his original plan a success. A large number of SFA members transferred to the newly authorized Chapter 43 from their current chapters and many even relocated to Hawaii.
Over the years, Chapter 43 was a viable, active chapter often being represented at SFA Conventions. As time passed, some of their members re-settled out of Hawaii (but remained members of the Chapter) and Chapter 43 had a diverse core membership with a world-wide footprint. However, it suffered a fate similar to that of Chapter VIII; without a local SF source for new members, age and health eroded the Chapter’s viability.
With Woody’s passing in 2008, no one of his talents stepped forward to hold the Chapter together on the Big Island. Leadership did come, for a while, from “mainland” (Continental United States) members. The official closing of Chapter 43 occurred at the end of August 2019. Since then, Chapter VIII has made efforts to contact and welcome back those members wishing to participate. The institution of including “virtual” participation since the COVID Pandemic has reclaimed Big Island members as well as former Chapter 43 members who reside on Oahu.
Chapter VIII Steps Up: SFA Conventions
Following Chapter VIII members attending an SFA Convention in Florida (Chapter 21), a decision was made to volunteer to host one. The Hale Koa (Home of the warrior in Hawaiian) Hotel was now a perfect venue for such an event and offered to host the 1978 SFA Convention in Honolulu. The “Luaus” had provided a solid funding footing and there were ample numbers of “worker bees” to handle the details of such a complex undertaking. Committee chairs “Corn Beef” Haleamau and Bill Combs used Joe Przygodzinski ( D-1817) as a key organizer of the event and while the conference was universally lauded by the those willing to make the cross-ocean trip, the Chapter had put together a comprehensive agenda to allow the attendees to experience as much Hawaiian Aloha as possible. The Convention’s Operational Report of Lessons Learned (ORLL) showed that a large number of committed and planned attendees were no-shows. At the time, SFA members were becoming known for avoiding extended air travel and a preference to stay close to their own chapter area. Without the understanding and good will shown by the Chapter’s contracted business partners, the Chapter could have suffered a fatal funding blow. By the time the Chapter volunteered to host another SFA Convention in 1983, it was armed with the experience to present a more modest agenda kept within a reasonable budget. However, the combination of limitations of numbers of willing attendees and a declining membership revealed it would be the last time the Chapter would be able to host until conditions for sourcing new SF members in the islands could be found.
Hawaii’s veteran community advocacy in Hawaii is officially the Office of Veteran Services (OVS), within the state government. Chapter VIII’s active involvement in veteran affairs had created a close relationship with other island veteran organizations in the late '70s and early '80s. To provide advice to the OVS on veteran matters and priorities, an advisory committee called the Oahu Veterans Council was organized. It is comprised of non-paid representatives of Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) on Oahu. Chapter VIII, without hesitation, joined as a charter member. In the meantime, Fort DeRussy’s primary function had now evolved to be an Army MWR campus centered around the Hale Koa Hotel for active-duty and other military ID card holders. The military-affiliated units and offices were relocated, and Chapter VIII was forced to look for a place to hold its monthly meetings elsewhere. Not unique to Chapter VIII, most island veteran organizations also led nomad-like existences to find a place (at a reasonable cost) to gather. This became a priority of the Oahu Veterans Council to help focus the State of Hawaii on helping find a place to support its 100,000 plus veterans (making up almost 10% of Hawaii’s population) and provide a place they could call home. A prominent chapter member was very influential in leading this search. Brigadier General (BG) Irwin Cockett Jr. (D-3207) could influence the process as first Hawaii Guard Director then Director of the OVS (two terms).
Anything involving space or land on an island can be a big challenge due to size of usable available space and high rent costs but after a many year effort, a place to make as a permanent home for island veterans was found. A centrally located housing community called Foster Village appeared to have a suitable site. Foster Village had a community association that owned a recreation park having a multi-use multi-building complex within the park. The Foster Village Community Association could not maintain the property and was willing to make an agreement that would forestall a pending loss to the state over lack of funding to maintain the property. A lease was negotiated where the whole park and building complex was turned over to the Oahu Veterans Council with a provision for the park land to remain available for community resident’s use. The long-term lease was signed at a cost of one dollar per year and promised funding from the Hawaii State Legislature to purpose-renovate the existing buildings providing office space and two meeting halls. The key leadership provided by Chapter VIII members in coordinating the effort of the OVS and Veterans Council proved a success. However, even before the official opening of the (now named) Oahu Veterans Center (OVC) in December 2005, it was recognized that the sheer number of veterans and veteran groups on Oahu would exceed the capabilities of the existing complex (even after renovation) to meet its purpose goals.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of a few visionaries like chapter member, SGM (Ret.) Jim Santos (D-1424), a vigorous campaign effort to justify expansion was undertaken with the State of Hawaii. A resulting arrangement was reached where the state would fund an additional (but larger) building, after which the entire complex would be the responsibility of the Oahu Veterans Council to maintain. The addition was finished and dedicated on the 25th of July 2015. This new modern facility, able to accommodate several simultaneous events; is fully air-conditioned, utilizes movable wall panels for event-size-flexibility, implements a modern security system, and has Wi-FI with large televisions. Now the permanent home of Chapter VIII’s activities, it has become the center for Oahu-based veteran organizations and local community events. It is frequently utilized by local state and federal politician’s as well as specialized military groups to communicate with and support their veteran constituents.
Chapter VIII Honors All Veterans: Monuments and Memorials
Honoring our veterans, past and present, has always been a top chapter priority. Chapter VIII had been dedicated to ensuring representation and participation in any and all ceremonies commemorating the state’s many monuments and memorial events. In the early 1970s, Chapter VIII decided to present a floral arrangement at the Hawaii State WWII monument built right after the end of the war in downtown Honolulu. Now located next to a busy city bus transit stop, the members were shocked and embarrassed by the graffiti and trash marring the monument and surrounding grounds. Some Chapter members with political and/or business influence spearheaded a campaign to get the Honolulu city and Hawaii state governments to shoulder responsibility to care for the monument. It is noteworthy that the resulting fenced area and continuing care for the monument is a direct result of these efforts.
In the early 1990s, the State of Hawaii established a commission to design a monument honoring Hawaii’s participation in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the process became stymied by impasse from competing veteran groups’ proposals. Chapter VIII representatives proposed a simplifying remembrance concept much like “The Wall” in Washington. When the final votes were tallied the present Korean/Vietnam War memorial located on the state capitol grounds in Honolulu was approved and dedicated in 1994. There has been periods where Hawaii budgets failed to fully maintain this memorials and Chapter VIII members never failed to volunteer their time to share cleanup responsibility for the Memorial with other veteran organizations.
Unfortunately, as the years went by, more and more members found the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) as a final resting place. Over time the Punchbowl management and Chapter VIII developed a close relationship. Located at the shrine's entrance is a beautiful tall tree planted by the chapter to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the cemetery. When the cemetery staff asked for organizations to sponsor shade trees being placed along the entrance roadway in 1999, Chapter VIII stepped up and diligently cared for the newly planted sprig. Special attention and care was paid by members to ensure its health and growth during its formative years and for a while was significantly bigger than its neighbors. Today, it can be identified by a stone at the base indicating chapter VIII as the sponsor. All the nurturing paid off as we now can admire the natural beauty as we enter and depart. Its location is the first tree after the left turn leaving the cemetery’s entrance.
In the mid-1990s, the Punchbowl leadership informed Chapter VIII that a “Walk of Heroes” was being planned on the path to the Punchbowl lookout. It would be open to VSOs and military related civic organizations willing to fund their contribution. Participation required submitting a proposed plan for approval which Chapter VIII undertook immediately and became one of the first to be approved. CMS Julian Mularney was placed in charge of the project. Jason (Woody) Woodworth of sister Chapter 43 oversaw the US Army Range Operations in Korea. Woody supervised the quarrying of a suitable stone from a spot just north of Seoul, Korea and managed to get the stone transported south to Osan air Base (approximately 90 kilometers). A Hickam Air Base KC-135 tanker had been arranged to transport it to Hawaii where Punchbowl staff picked it up and transported it to Punchbowl for storage to await an appropriate plaque. Chapter VIII purchased the plaque and had it inscribed with a quote from President John F. Kennedy’s “Green Beret” speech at the Special Forces presentation at Fort Bragg on 12 October 1961. The stone and plaque was dedicated by BG (Ret.) Irwin Cockett Jr. on 25 May 2000 and is located in an honored position at the top of the walk on the right just prior to the observation deck.
As discussed already, a memorial to a former Chapter VIII member is in the town of Waianae. Dennis Madeira was not only involved in many veteran organizations and activities but very committed to the Waianae community. When he passed in 2005, a call came from the Waianae community looking to honor him. Chapter VIII joined with some other of Dennis’s veteran organizations to fund the memorial located on the MWR recreation center grounds.
Besides the rendering of honors for the many burial ceremonies performed there, Chapter VIII conscientiously ensures strong representation and support to the many military events at Punchbowl such as Memorial Day, POW/MIA Remembrance, WWII/Korean/Vietnam War remembrances, anniversary of Operation Red Wings at Medal of Honor Park, Patriot Day (Remembering 9-11), Veterans Day, and Pearl Harbor Day. Special attention is paid by Chapter VIII members to the final resting place of MSG Earl Kalani, for whom the chapter is named.
Chapter VIII’s Years of Involvement- Scholarship
Over the years, the annual Chapter VIII fund raising event from the expansive “Luau” to more modest “Summer Bash” and “Fall Fest'' has generated funds for the Chapter’s priority programs. Since its inception, the ROTC award program, an annual college scholarship ($500), donations to worthy causes to include Chapter families in need, and wreaths or leis to honor America’s military and veteran service have received the highest priorities. Any remaining available funds have been used to support Chapter social events. The Chapter prioritized memorial wreaths and leis for Memorial Day, the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA event and Veterans Day every year. The Chapter would vote on a case-by-case basis for events commemorating World Wars I and II (WWI,II), Pearl Harbor, or the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Our college scholarship program now offers $1,000.
Chapter VIII’s Years of Involvement- JPAC/DPAA
Chapter member Stephen Thompson (A-4322) works in the information office of the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing In Action (POW/MIA) Accounting Agency (DPAA), formerly known as the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC). A close relationship has developed with Chapter VIII since DPAA is one of the few on-island military organizations having an organic SF presence, in this case active-duty SF medics assigned to help in their across the globe search for our MIAs. Many of these active SF teammates are part of our Chapter. We keep a close eye on DPAA’s endeavors to find the missing from our wars since such a high, non-proportionate percentage of the remaining unidentified from the Vietnam conflict are SF. Lately, there has been increased activity by DPAA as interaction with North Korea increased (relatively) in repatriating MIAs and using the restricted travel during the COVID Pandemic to recover and prioritize processing the remains of the unknowns from Punchbowl including many from the Pearl Harbor attack. We remained postured to attend the repatriation and burial ceremonies of those found.
Chapter VIII: From the Darkness there was Light
The slow but steady decline of membership of thirty years (mid-1980s to the mid-2010s) saw the Chapter’s roster decline from about 250 to about 80 with less than twenty active participants. Roughly half the roster lived on the mainland or on the neighboring islands. There had been virtually no new members in over a decade. The Chapter could barely get representation at the SFA Convention, was forced to end our thirty-year association with Waianae, struggled to get representation at military/veteran events on the island, and experienced monthly meetings where widows and wives outnumbered the members.
Despite the well-intentioned efforts of the Chapter, interaction with active-duty SF, former SF contractors, or recent retired on Hawaii SF had not been effective in attracting new recruits. It was recognized that the high tempo-operations associated with the Global War on Terror (GWOT) and the continuing wars in the Middle East placed a great strain on families and time, when home, required family priorities. Another problem with attracting the younger troops was the lingering perception (mostly false) that veteran groups as a whole were “lie-swapping” drinking clubs. SFA had an additional bias to overcome with the view it was controlled only by and for Vietnam War veterans. Hawaii’s high cost of living and lack of affordable housing also created challenges for retired military to select the state as a place to settle. The Chapter leadership had held non-monthly special “Principal’s meetings” (for the officers and open to any interested members at large) to discuss steps to take in the future eventuality of following Chapter 43 and also having to close. A couple of preparation steps were recommended and approved by the membership.
But in the mid-2010s, a series of unplanned/unforeseen events lent a little optimism to the Chapter’s future. In 2014, a Las Vegas-based member, Charles “Chuck” Weibe (M-9401) had volunteered to help the Chapter establish a computer webpage. Since most of the Chapter members were certified “computer Neanderthals,” Chuck’s “Tech-Savvy” expertise presented the exact solution the Chapter had identified as a handicap and shortfall to reaching younger SFers for years. Chuck utilized his expertise (when able from a full-time job and frequent traveling) to move the project forward and establish a domain. Slowly but surely, we had inquiries from folks interested in the Chapter’s activities. His interaction increased as he made it known, having grown up in the islands, he had every intention of returning in retirement and hoped to start an SF motorcycle club since “bikes” were a passion.
In 2016, he visited the Chapter with a new logo proposal. He designed it to represent common bonds of highly skilled warriors with deep roots in Hawaii and its special warrior class history. Successful societies have always developed highly trained warriors with skills that take years of devoted training to master. These Special Forces principles have been at work in the Hawaiian culture since the times of Kings and territories. His logo was designed to capture common origins with Special Forces. Both the Koa Warriors and Special Forces have operated as the “tip of the spear” in battle while retaining peace through strength. In ancient Hawaii, the King’s Koa Warriors were the most skilled and devoted warrior class. In time of a potential conflict, they were formed and presented to influence and intimidate to create a more desirable climate with the goal of preventing hostilities. His presentation impressed Chapter VIII’s members and, to the disappointment of some of the wives, was adopted by the membership.
Chuck described the significance of the different elements of the new design: - The Chapter VIII memorial namesake, MSG Earl Kalani, was retained to honor and celebrate the service and sacrifices of a great warrior gone before.
-The ancient Hawaiian Warrior helmet is a symbol like the Green Beret to the local heritage and its warrior ethos. The Koa Warriors were diligent and devoted in their training and well-versed in “Lua” ancient martial arts. Like Special Forces this also made them close order combat specialists.
-The “Shark Tooth Axe”, made of Koa wood (the strongest of local woods), is the weapon “moniker” of the ancient Hawaiian warrior. It represents indigenous weapons of Special Forces culture such as the bow and arrow or the dagger.
-The “Tapa cloth borders” is used to honor our Hawaiian culture with love and respect. The Hibiscus represents the beauty and peace of the islands. It surrounds the logo to symbolize melding together the Koa Warrior and the Special Forces “peace through strength” mission.
After its 2016 adoption, the new logo was added to the webpage, Coconut Wireless, posters, stationary letterheads, Chapter shirts, and an additional source for a new Chapter coin while maintaining our “vintage” traditional coin.
Another positive development for Chapter VIII visibility in 2016 was the State of Hawaii full embrace of a national five-year call (2017-2022) to honor the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. Hawaii, to its credit, planned the organization of a week-long, state-wide schedule of events culminating with a parade through Waikiki for 23 to 29 May 2017. Hawaii appointed a 50th Anniversary Organizing Committee (with prominent input from member BG Irwin Cockett Jr).
This state-wide gala offered key events like a star-studded musical dinner tribute hosted by Tony Orlando and Ann Margaret, a special parade through Waikiki and culminated with a combined State of Hawaii/City of Honolulu Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Cemetery of the Pacific “Punchbowl.” The complex slate of events was a great success and garnered the Chapter VIII participants much needed press and exposure that led to renewed interest in Chapter activities from former members but more importantly by HI-based current SF members.
Another 2016 opportunity for Chapter VIII to reach out to support the Hawaii military community presented itself when the Oahu Veterans Council requested individual VSOs to sponsor a class graduation celebration for a program conducted six times a year at TAMC. Called the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Residential Recovery Program or PRRP for short. The program was designed to assist volunteer active-duty and retired members and veterans in overcoming adverse effects of PTSD. The 8-week Veterans Administration (VA) in-resident TAMC program was available on a voluntary basis only. Chapter VIII hosted the program graduates first in 2016 and again in 2019. We scheduled during the time of year when we usually held our outside Bar-B-Que “Spring Fling/”Steak Fry.” It required a rescheduling to a Saturday instead of the Chapter’s 1st Sunday of the month tradition. Chapter members embraced the honor to host, came out in mass, and (despite the many rules involved in the conduct of the event) put a great amount of effort into making the graduates feel comfortable and welcome. It got back to the Chapter from staff that the word spread from class to class to ask for the ”Green Berets”to host. It was during the 2019 event that a group of local SF “bikers”from Camp Smith came to the OVC to ask if they could attend. This was the first official interaction between Chapter VIII, SFA and what became the Special Forces Brotherhood Motorcycle Club (SFBMC) Fort DeRussy, Hawaii Charter.
It was also in 2016 that Chapter members began hearing about a monthly breakfast by Eric Johnson (D-8255) an active duty Green Beret assigned to Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) at Camp Smith, Hawaii. He opened the breakfast up to any Green Beret in Hawaii and it was an informal event tagged “SF Brotherhood Breakfast.” Some enterprising Chapter VIII members began seeking to attend and once some “generational” mistrust was overcome, Chapter VIII tried to have attendees rub elbows with these young warriors as well as get insight into some of the newer SF operations trends. When Eric PCS’d, Pete Tingstrom took over the reins of getting these warriors together. He not only did breakfasts but started pau hana’s as well, and we continue to have them every month whether you are a member of SFA or not. Chapter members got introduced to a cross section of island active, retired, and civilian contract SF, it has been a great networking venue.
These reaching-out events by the Chapter bore fruit when, in 2017, (then) Major General (MG) Bryan Fenton (M-8116), the commander of SOCPAC decided to include the Chapter in its activities (when it could) which, in turn, offered opportunities to interest his folks to participate in ours. General Fenton attended the Chapter’s April meeting to give a SOCPAC-Theater of Operations briefing, informed the Chapter he would be joining as a member, and that his Command Sergeant Major (CSM), “JC” Cruz would act as liaison between the Command and Chapter. When MG Fenton later that year became Deputy Commander of INDOPACOM, he not only became a Lieutenant General (LTG- 3 stars) but earned the distinction of being the first SF-qualified holder of a senior leadership position in INDOPACOM history. 2017 also had an SFA transfer from the National Capital Region (Chapter XI), Lynn Mariano (A-4766) who indicated a willingness to become a Chapter contributor right away. Getting new members involved was becoming critical at this point in the Chapter’s history as it was experiencing a string of “the old guard” members passing on.
Early 2018 was an active year for Hawaii ROTC. Chapter VIII’s award program experienced first time support for the JROTC program when ex-Chapter 43 members stepped forward to present the Chapter’s awards to Big Island high school recipients. The sister of Hawaii SF veteran James Gabriel (1st Hawaiian lost in Vietnam and for whom Gabriel Demonstration Field at Fort Bragg and now Fort Campbell is named), Billie, helped present the Chapter VIII JROTC award at her brother’s old school, Farrington High School. The Governor’s Day JROTC review at Fort Shafter had participating marching units by all the island’s schools for the first time in many years.
The year 2018 also saw an uptick in operations tempo by SOCPAC and the newly named INDOPACOM and SF related events still occurred frequently. LTG Fenton, true to his word, kept the Chapter updated and highlighted the need for all veterans to stay engaged to support force readiness. The year ended with Chapter VIII members attending an official “standup” ceremony for the SFBMC of Fort DeRussy on December 7th which became recognized by their National Headquarters based in Fayetteville, NC as the 10th Charter in the Nation. Both Chapter VIII and SFBMC recognized there were mutual advantages to cooperating. All SFBMC members are SFA members and offered the Chapter potential new members.
LTC (Ret) Pete Tingstrom (D-9877) was voted in as the new President of the Chapter. He not only took over the SF Breakfast program when Eric Johnson left. He expanded the Coconut Wireless tenfold. He started a new Signal text thread for all Green Berets on Oahu. He started a new Facebook page for our chapter and revamped our Chapter's website. Pete’s efforts were able to pull together and communicate with now 322 Green Berets across the Islands and have brought in over a dozen new members to the SFA. There are 258 on Oahu, 22 on the Big Island, 3 on Maui, 2 on Kauai, 1 on Lanai, and 36 who live off-island but wish to stay in communication with our network. Chapter 8 has seen 38 of their members pass away since 2016. Our chapter has supported every family with presence to escort the remains, guard the casket, say the Special Forces Prayer, the playing of the Balad of the Green Beret, and join in with hands and song to help remember and salute our fallen. Until Valhalla...
2019 saw an ever-maturing relationship between the Chapter and SFBMC that in turn opened the door to more potential members from the Headquarters at Camp Smith. The SFBMC actively recruited among their co-workers members for SFA and, if already SFA members, to entice them to transfer to the Chapter. The State of Hawaii’s OVS obtained funding for the 1st ever two-day Veterans’ Summit held in June and filled the Honolulu Convention Center with a variety of presentations targeting Oahu veterans. Veteran Organizations, non-profit organizations (having Veteran support programs), a targeted ever-expanding array of Veteran programs by the University of Hawaii and more than a few commercial enterprises (seeking eligible Veterans) participated. Chapter VIII was permitted a table to distribute information pamphlets on the Chapter as well as answer any inquiries. It provided a great venue as a few members from our legacy SF Reserve units from the 1960s came by. While it didn’t generate any new members, many interested attendees just wanted to get information on SF in general. An all-hands social call was held in late July to focus on SFA/Chapter 8 membership and just getting together in general. Chapter VIII adjusted the budget to recognize the need to allocate funds to recruiting. For the first time in a long time, Chapter VIII leadership with Pete Tingstrom at the helm began talking optimistically about the future of the Chapter. Fiscal viability continued to improve through the many generous donations sent by our geographically far-flung members during the “fest” fundraisers. The year ended with the SFBMC becoming fully sanctioned by their National Headquarters on their 1st anniversary that ended a probationary period and with Chapter VIII holding a joint Christmas celebration with the SFBMC.
The future looks bright
Chapter VIII now enters its 51st year as an active association and its future viability appears strong once again. The complimentary, synergistic relationship between Chapter VIII and Fort DeRussy Hawaii’s SFBMC has generated a strong bond and high level of respect and trust among all the members; however, they are a separate legal non-profit organization doing great things for the Green Beret Community. The SFBMC has donated thousands of dollars to the Green Beret Foundation and the Special Forces Charitable Trust.
