×

National Guardsman has been keeping things secure at lava flow

Hawaii Army National Guard Capt. Aris Banaag addresses soldiers in a meeting last month while overseeing security around the lava flow from Kilauea volcano on the Big Island. U.S. Air National Guard / Senior Airman John Linzmeier photo

Hawaii Army National Guard Capt. Aris Banaag is trying to catch up on sleep after leading round-the-clock security around lava from Kilauea volcano for three weeks on the Big Island.

The 25-year veteran was in charge of 75 soldiers and teamed up with local police to create checkpoints around the lava flow to protect residents and tourists. Banaag returned to Maui recently after serving 18 straight days in May and June, but is scheduled to return for another stint early next month.

“Hopefully we don’t have to go back because I’m kind of tired,” he said Monday. “But if they call me, then I’ll go serve.”

More than 600 homes have been destroyed by the lava that began flowing early May and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down, emergency officials said. Kilauea’s thick, slow-moving lava has transformed into a wide, fast-moving river that now covers over 9 miles.

Aerial video shows lava from the volcano’s fissure No. 8, located in the lower east rift zone near Leilani Estates, moving about 200 yards per hour, officials said. The magma in the area is hotter, more fluid and less crystalized.

“I got within 200 meters and even at that distance you can feel the heat of the lava,” Banaag said. “Just when I left, fissure No. 8 blew up and became the most active. It was definitely one of those things that started off fairly slow, but since then it’s like a complete river.”

Banaag said overseeing security around lava is the largest operation he has had to coordinate, which required him to create a schedule and monitor his soldiers. He started every morning at the incident command center to receive any updates and attends weekly community meetings on soldier movement and possible evacuations.

“It was at least 15- to 18-hour days,” he said. “I did a lot of circulation of checking in on all the soldiers, making sure they’re fed and needs were met. That was something really important to me in making sure they were taken care of.”

Thousands of residents have fled their homes in the wake of the lava, which has released toxic gas and vog throughout the Big Island. Between 450 to 500 people are reportedly staying in shelters in Pahoa and Keaau.

“It’s very surreal being there because you can sense the sadness in the community of so many homes lost and so many civilians displaced,” the Haiku resident said. “You can also sense their frustration and anger, while the community is trying to deal with this.”

Security checkpoints around the lava help residents return to their homes to get their belongings, but some people have tried to slip by in order to witness the lava and break into homes, Banaag said. Numerous people have been cited for loitering in a disaster zone and were scheduled to appear in court.

While many residents are thankful for the National Guard in providing safety and assistance, soldiers have been accused of helping to steal property and other misdeeds, Banaag said. He said the made-up stories were an attempt to remove their presence from the area so people could pillage evacuated homes.

“There were definitely some break-ins,” he said. “It’s a very wide area so we’re not able to cover all areas, but I think we deterred many of them.”

Banaag’s continued service for the National Guard was recognized last week by the Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which honored him with the Gintong Pamana award. The award is given to residents of Filipino ancestry who demonstrate excellence in their careers or have served the island community in a significant way.

Although Banaag, 43, has spent over two decades in the National Guard, he also has served as a personal support counselor at the University of Hawaii Maui College for the past 10 years. He leads the college’s Behavioral Intervention Team; the Prevention, Awareness and Understanding Violence program; and is chairman of Maui County’s Suicide Task Force.

Banaag also coaches King Kekaulike’s boys basketball team and track team.

“I definitely was pleasantly surprised,” he said of the award. “I’ve done this work for so long and I’ve never done it expecting anything. That’s not why I do the work. I’m definitely honored.”

Among the other winners was Chris Rabang, a 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry and general manager of the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas.

Rabang began his career as housekeeping manager of the Grand Wailea in 1997, where he oversaw 400 to 500 employees. He said that is where much of his character was formed. About 98 percent of the department was Filipino at the time — a group that “really takes pride in their work and having a strong work ethic,” he added.

“The pride and happiness they show on a daily basis, that was the biggest thing I took away in my first two years in the business,” the 44-year-old said on Sunday.

Rabang, of Wailuku, went on to open several hotels in Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Hawaii. He also serves as chairman of the UH-MC’s Campus Hospitality Board.

Rabang offered three tips to workers and aspiring leaders: attitude is everything; don’t be afraid to take risks; and take pride in your heritage and community.

“Don’t be afraid to fail,” he said. “Sometimes the best learning opportunities come out of failure. Learn new and better ways to do things. There could be something very fruitful on the other side.”

* Chris Sugidono can be reached at csugidono@mauinews.com.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
     
Support Local Journalism on Maui

Only $99/year

Subscribe Today