WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii - U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii exists to support Soldiers and families assigned to Hawaii, ensuring the people in uniform, and their supporters, remain a strong and resilient team, both now and in the future.
Throughout 2010, USAG-HI fulfilled its mission to offer programs and services that sustain Soldier, family and civilian readiness and well-being; workforce development; installation readiness and safety; and energy, efficiency and security.
The mission, which includes strategic partnerships and responsible stewardship of resources, strives to improve processes and ensures a positive, efficient and effective relationship between the U.S. Army, Soldiers, families, civilians and the surrounding community in Hawaii.
In March, Army leaders joined with Native Hawaiian organizations and community groups to sign a formal Native Hawaiian Covenant. The pledge signified the Army's commitment to forging a stronger relationship of cooperation, appreciation and understanding of Hawaii's native culture and resources. The pledge also recognized the Army's role in Hawaii and the public's willingness to welcome Soldiers into local communities.
That same month, senior leaders resigned of the Army Family Covenant and recommitted themselves to improving quality of life services to Soldiers and family members here in Hawaii. Maj. Gen. Michael J. Terry, commanding general, U.S. Army-Hawaii; Command Sgt. Maj. George Duncan, command sergeant major, 8th Theater Sustainment Command and USARHAW; Col. Matthew Margotta, commander, USAG-HI; and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Williamson, command sergeant major, USAG-HI, all rededicated and committed themselves to helping USARHAW families and service members thrive.
USAG-HI received the Historic Hawaii Foundation 2010 Preservation Award - Hawaii's highest honor for preservation projects - in April, for the restoration of the only remaining quad theater at Quad F, Schofield Barracks. USAG-HI also opened the newest Soldiers' barracks at Fort Shafter, which is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver-certifiable, and will house 156 Soldiers with 30-percent less energy than older barracks.
In May, USAG-HI joined with local and civil organizations to sign a memorandum of understanding formalizing the Waianae Mountains Watershed Partnership, which is a commitment to protecting Oahu's primary source of freshwater.
Halfway through the year, USAG-HI leadership held the Army Family Action Plan Conference to address more than 15 quality of life issues and meet the needs of USARHAW families.
In June, USAG-HI also dedicated a new School Age Center to children of all fallen Soldiers in Hawaii, named "Napua Koa," which is Hawaiian for the children of the warrior.
That same month, the USAG-HI community bid aloha to Col. Matthew Margotta, outgoing commander, USAG-HI, and welcomed Col. Douglas Mulbury, incoming commander.
In July, USAG-HI launched a Department of Defense utilities conservation program that requires Soldiers and their families to become more accountable and responsible for their electricity usage on post.
In September, USAG-HI released results of the Army's recent depleted uranium Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment for the Pohakuloa Training Area impact area on the Big Island, which indicated there are likely no adverse effects to current and potential future persons working on or living near PTA, due to DU presence.
USAG-HI opened the doors of its new Survivor Outreach Services Center, called "Halia Aloha," Hawaiian for cherished or loving memory, to honor fallen Soldiers and to comfort, serve and support their families, in October. The center serves families of active duty, National Guard and Reserve, and center staff coordinate resources and referrals for Army, state and local programs.
At the end of the year, USAG-HI hosted Oahu's military installations in signing the Collaborative Qualified Recycling Programs Partnership MOU to formalize a unified commitment to reduce solid waste and enhance recycling to protect and conserve the environment.
(Editor's Note: This article ran along with several other Year in Review articles in the Jan. 14 issue of the Hawaii Army Weekly. See more Year in Review articles at www.hawaiiarmyweekly.com/news/tag/year-in-review.)
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