HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – After serving more than three years as commander of U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), Gen. Charles Flynn will step down Friday, Nov. 8.

He took command of the U.S. Army’s largest service component command in June 2021.

“One of the most challenging things about this command is the variations of the environment and conditions that exist across Asia,” Flynn said.

While the general is charming and engaging, he is also a battle-proven soldier, as indicated by the tabs on his chest, combat infantry, airborne, air assault, and pathfinder. Gen. Flynn is a mix of two worlds, military and diplomacy.

“There are a lot of tough decisions to be made in the coming years on a range of topics, but I think at the end of the day, that there is this trust and relationship and conversation and transparency and truth that comes from looking after one another, and caring for one another is really important,” he said.

Flynn has worked on building that trust on three fronts. First, he says, it comes to respecting the aina and the indigenous people of the islands.

“Being here and being respectful of what we are able to do, and being respectful of the people, the land, and the water, and all that goes with it is, again, that’s really an important part of actually being here,” he said.

Second, Flynn says, is building trust with other nations, like Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, and Australia, as seen at the recent Land Forces Pacific of LANPAC Symposium.

USARPAC‘s area of operations covers half the globe and consists of 36 nations and six of the world’s 10 largest armies.

“There is an automatic matching, if you will, of our ability to train here in Hawaii and then the ability to transfer that training, and advise, assist and enable the other armies in the region to improve. We are and remain the gold standard,” he said.

And third, the trust of the American people on ensuring U.S. Army soldiers are prepared for whatever missions they are called on to do.

“Our ability to train here and be able to train in the areas that we have access to here on Oahu and, of course, the Pohakuloa training area, what that really translates into is a degree of readiness that we can then bring into the region to do the things that we have to do with allies and partners in the region that are in those same environments,” he said.

As his time in command comes to an end, Gen. Flynn leaves with a grateful heart and will miss working with his soldiers in Hawaii.

At the same time, he will also miss the beauty of the islands and other aspects of life here.

“I am going to miss my relationships and friends. I’m also going to miss surfing, I do love surfing,” Gen. Flynn said.

“I want to thank Hawaii. I want to thank the people,” he said.

Flynn will relinquish his command to Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark Friday at a ceremony on Fort Shafter.

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SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawai’i — In a show of unified commitment to energy security and sustainable practices, U.S. Army Garrison Hawai’i and Hawaiian Electric (HECO) joined forces to highlight the capabilities of the Schofield Generating Station (SGS). Featured on KHON2’s “Empowered Hawai’i” series, this collaboration underscores the Army’s readiness to support Hawai’i’s renewable energy goals and wide community resilience.

Col. Rachel Sullivan, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Hawai’i, Keith Yamanaka, chief of the Energy Branch for U.S. Army Garrison Hawai’i, and Mike DiCaprio, Hawaiian Electric’s vice president of Power Supply, met with “Empowered Hawai’i” hosts to discuss the 50-megawatt facility’s critical role in powering O’ahu in emergencies, utilizing sustainable biofuels (cooking oil), and reinforcing the island’s energy grid stability. The episode, scheduled to air on Nov. 26, will bring public awareness to the unique attributes of SGS and its contributions toward Hawai’i’s renewable energy vision.

“Schofield Generating Station is a unique facility, not only because of its capacity to support Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield, and Field Station Kunia in emergencies but also because it represents a strategic partnership with Hawaiian Electric that leverages renewable energy to strengthen resilience for both the military and the local community,” said Col. Sullivan.

The facility, located on military grounds at Schofield Barracks and safeguarded from coastal threats, can generate electricity for up to seven days on its fuel supply and as long as 30 days with on-island resources. Additionally, SGS plays a crucial role in stabilizing the island’s power grid, stepping in during periods of low solar and wind production to prevent rolling blackouts and aiding recovery after outages.

Keith Yamanaka highlighted SGS’s importance, noting, “Our collaboration with Hawaiian Electric enables us to literally jumpstart other power plants on Oahu and potentially support up to 16 Army installations on O’ahu. This partnership truly amplifies our resilience capabilities, allowing us to be prepared for any crisis while supporting Hawai’i’s clean energy mission.”

Hawai‘i has set ambitious renewable energy goals under the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, aiming for 100% renewable energy in the electricity sector by 2045. SGS remains at the forefront, representing the Army’s dedication to renewable initiatives that safeguard the environment and community. With its renewable biofuel capabilities, SGS is prepared to operate independently of the grid during natural or man-made emergencies, ensuring that the Army can fulfill its mission and support O’ahu if requested.

In response to the Army’s commitment to clean energy, Mike DiCaprio, Vice President of Power Supply at Hawaiian Electric, added, “This partnership with the U.S. Army demonstrates our shared vision for a sustainable future, and we’re proud to bring renewable energy advancements to the forefront here in Hawai’i.”

The Schofield Generating Station stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in achieving energy security and sustainability, illustrating the Army’s unwavering support for Hawai’i’s clean energy future.

Clara “Kaliko” Joselyn Brooks, 68, of Honaunau died Sept. 7 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Kealakekua, she was a cook for Kona Pacific Public Charter School. Celebration of life service noon Saturday, Nov. 30, at 84-5000 Keala O Keawe Rd. in Honaunau. Survived by daughters, Spring Brooks and Natasha Terazono of Honaunau; brothers, Stanley Okada and Myron Okada of Captain Cook, Ronald Okada of Honolulu and Gary Okada of Waimanalo, Oahu; sisters, Janet Wroten of Honaunau and Patricia (Hal) Summers of San Diego; four grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Milo Guy Clark, 92, of Leilani Estates died Oct. 21 at home. Born in Appleton, Wis., he was a retired economic business consultant. Private services. Survived by wife, Lee Maniscalco of Leilani Estates; daughters, Linda (Marc) Clark Rosenstein of Lynn, Mass., Caroline W. Clark of Mililani, Oahu, and Sarah Lange of Woodacre, Calif.; two grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Deidree Kehaulani Mahi, 76, of Hilo, died Oct. 19 at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a homemaker. Private services held. Survived by brothers, Randy Mahi of Phoenix and Royden (Marsha) Mahi of Hilo; sister, Debbie Mahi of Hilo; uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Carmen Martha Rosi Mills, 81, of Kailua-Kona died Oct. 23 at Hospice of Konaq’s Nakamaru Hale in Holualoa. Born in Innsbruck/Tirol, Austria, she was a waitress at the King Kamehameha Hotel Pool Bar, volunteer and member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 13 in Kona, St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Kailua-Kona, volunteer for Kona Pacific Charter School in Kealakekua, and competition angler. No services at this time. Survived by husband, Lloyd Mills of Kailua-Kona; son, Kalani (Aolani) Mills of Kealakekua; goddaughter, Linda (Darin) Kam of Kaloko Mauka; sisters, Elfriede “Alfie” (David) Fujitani Eldridge of Arizonaand Edwina (Steve) Webster of San Diego; brother-in-law, Lawrence (Doreen) Mills of Kailua-Kona; sister-in-law, Gwendolyn (Gary) Schauweker of Ocean View; a grandson, a hanai grandson and hanai granddaugther; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Michael Nils Olson, 76, of Kealakekua died Sept. 26 at hom. Born in Tulsa, Okla., he was a self-employed painter, carpenter, furniture refinisher, and koa wood craftsman. Private services. Survived by children, Julia C. Willett, Michael J. Olson, Jared B. Olson and Jessica L. Gibson; mother of his children, Sharyn Olson; brother, Roger Olson; five grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Clarence Stanley Rapoza, 79, of Holualoa died July 29 at home. Born in North Kona, he was cattle rancher, 2019 inductee into the Paniolo Hall of Fame, avid bowler and supported many Kona athletic teams, the Historical Society, Paniolo Preservation Society, and other community organizations. Celebration of life 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Imen Center in Holualoa. Casual attire. Survived by wife, Catherine Rapoza; children, Cherell Rizzo, David (Lisa) Rapoza, Ryan (Misaki) Rapoza, Chrisy (John) Alameda and Clinton Callendar; sisters, Barbara Boencamp and Julia Viloria; eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Bruno Villacorte, 84, of North Kohala died Oct. 25, at home. He was a retired golf course maintenance worker for Mauna Kea Beach Resort, Hawaii Army National Guard veteran, member of Kohala Lions Club, member and hotel representative for International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local No. 142, ILWU softball coach and player, coach for Kupuna softball league “Local Boyz” and county Parks and Rec youth basketball coach. Private service. Survived by wife, Carole Villacorte; sons, Jarvis (Beverly) Villacorte, Irvin (Priscilla) Villacorte, Wesley Villacorte and Reggie Villacorte of Kohala; daughters, Caryn Villacorte and Maylyn (Ian) Caravalho of Kohala; brother, Richard Villacorte of Ewa Beach, Oahu; sisters, Trinidad Pasco and Lucy Sumic of Kohala, Maggie Macadangdang of Hilo; stepson, Loren (Diane) Akana of Honolulu; stepdaughters, Lisa Carvalho of Kohala, Lynette Akana of Honolulu and Serena Seidel of Kohala; stepmother, Mary Villacorte of Kohala; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary,