Navy's CPO-365 Efforts Take Root in Hawaii

By Bill Doughty, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

HONOLULU (NNS) -- Twenty-five chiefs teamed with 25 first class petty officers Feb. 28 to clear 3.5 tons of brush from a culturally significant bike path in Hawaii.

The area, near to the International Hula Institute, Halau Hula Olana, had become overgrown after many years, attracting unlawful and unsafe activities, according to Olana Ai, of the hula school.

"It was also a constant eyesore to us and to those who walked or jogged or rode their bikes on the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail," Ai said. "To those who took the bus to work and had to use the trail late at night, it felt unsafe."

Now the area has been transformed.

"We are looking forward to having our hula students come to study hula and look out into the whole of Hau'ula, 'Ewa and Pu'uloa," Ai said. "We are hoping to revitalize the area sacred in ancient as well as in modern times, and to bringing to the little community of houses a sense of homage and pride."

The Sailors conducted the project as part of MCPON's "CPO-365" - a program instituted by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (SS/SW) Rick D. West - to ensure prospective chief petty officers receive good training with their chiefs.

"Residents were overwhelmed with gratitude at the work we were accomplishing," said Region Hawaii CPO-365 coordinator, Chief Utilitiesman Shane Ouimette. "An older man who was walking his dog stopped to say how grateful he and his neighbors were for our efforts in making the area a better and more useful space."

The 50 Sailors filled 55-gallon trash bags, loaded a 5-ton truck and discarded brush and trimmings in green waste bins for proper recycling and disposal.

"Our chiefs believe in service to the community, teamwork and giving back," sais Navy Region Hawaii Command Master Chief Marc Sibal. "There is no match for good teamwork and the power of leadership by example."

In a letter to Sibal, Howard and Olana Ai wrote, "Your efforts in taking the bush away on the water's edge will really be the start to shoring up a community effort to improve our neighborhood. We will forever be grateful and look forward to a healthy relationship with you as time goes by.

"It was very touching to get such sincere thanks from Halau Hula Olana and to know that our chiefs and first class petty officers made a difference," Sibal said.

"I volunteered for this project because I hold near and dear the fact that we as Navy are visitors temporarily assigned, and I like to show my appreciation for being afforded the opportunity to serve here," Ouimette said.