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,

HONOLULU — Time to pull back the curtain.

At last, the Hawaii men’s basketball team will perform live in front of its primary audience as it opens the 2024-25 regular season against NAIA school Life Pacific in the Outrigger Rainbow Classic at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center on Friday night.

This year’s preseason was unusual in that it did not feature an exhibition in its home venue. UH played Hawaii Hilo on the Big Island and Chaminade on Maui. Neither game was televised or live streamed, and only the Hilo game was broadcast on the radio.

UH held a “Rainbow Madness” introductory event in the Sheriff last month but it did not feature any up-and-down action.

It all contributed to an sense of mystery for a roster that was heavily rebuilt from the 20-14 squad that bowed out in the Big West semifinals in March.

UH brought in four Division I transfers to help provide an immediate impact from the loss of its top six scorers, including an All-Big West second-teamer at forward in Justin McKoy and two career 1,000-point scorers in Noel Coleman and Bernardo da Silva. There are three more international additions and two high school graduates who made the direct leap.

“The sooner you know, the better,” 10^th-year coach Eran Ganot said to a question of his preferred lineup on Tuesday. “With this team, I’d say we’ve been experimenting more. We don’t want to make quick judgments when guys are still getting comfortable. But a group has emerged and I feel like we have some key guys coming off the bench to create a spark. There’s still some competing going on.”

UH, which is set to join the Mountain West as a full member in 2026-27, will attempt to overcome expectations and earn the program’s first postseason appearance since Ganot’s first season in 2016-17. The Rainbow Warriors were picked to finish seventh in the Big West coaches preseason poll.

The starting lineup will feature, at minimum, four players either new to the roster or unused to having their name read out to the crowd in pregame introductions.

That level of transition was apparent in the team’s preseason results. UH committed 54 turnovers and won by a combined eight points in the two games against local Division II teams.

Point guard, while always crucial, is the position to watch as the Rainbow Warriors find their way. Sophomore Tom Beattie is getting the first crack at the job, though UH has employed Houston Christian transfer Marcus Greene, freshman Aaron Hunkin-Claytor and walk-on-turned-scholarship guard Kody Williams at the position.

Ganot is fond of pairing point guards together in the backcourt, a la JoVon McClanahan and Juan Munoz last year.

“You want to have guys emerge. You don’t want to have a revolving door,” Ganot said.

Beattie, a 6-foot-5 New Zealander who made a name with his hustle plays last season, acknowledged his 12 turnovers against five assists in the exhibitions and said that he is still learning how to operate the offense while guarding opponents’ best perimeter player on defense. But, he added, he is up for the challenge.

The team’s giveaways, which happened on anything from inbounds passes against the press, in the open court and in the halfcourt, are “just things we can’t have,” Beattie said.

“I feel like it was just our sloppiness,” Beattie said. “Not making a firm pass, not being strong with the ball. The ball was taken from our hands probably five times in that Hilo game.”

The only returning starter, wing Ryan Rapp, missed both exhibitions with a hand injury and is questionable to play in the three-games-in-four-days round-robin tournament. Williams missed the Chaminade game but is available.

Rapp and Beattie were recently named co-captains.

The Rainbow Classic, while a storied piece of the program’s history, has been an inconsistent presence on the UH schedule in recent years. It was left off in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2023 due to difficulties filling out the field.

San Jose State (0-1) of the Mountain West and Pacific (1-0) of the West Coast Conference lead off the tournament at 4:30 p.m. preceding UH’s opener.

“We’re a lot like everybody right now, so it’ll be a lot of new faces for all the teams, learning about each other on the fly and how quickly we can make those adjustments in real time,” Ganot said.

The inclusion of Life Pacific marked the third time in the last five editions of the Rainbow Classic that a non-Division-I team was part of the field.

Life Pacific faced five Division I opponents in the 2023-24 season and had an average margin of loss of 29.6 points. The Warriors of San Dimas, Calif., played at Loyola Marymount on Monday and lost 99-56.

Friday’s game will not officially count for Life Pacific (1-0), though it will for UH. LPU is expected to come at UH with a smallball attack; the visiting Warriors top out at 6 feet 8.

UH will likely look to leverage its size, including with 6-foot-10 sophomore Akira Jacobs at small forward. Jacobs scored 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting against a similarly undersized Chaminade lineup.

Jacobs, who played for his native Japan in the 2024 Paris Olympics, is anxious to display that he is more than a 3-point specialist.

“Last year’s experience playing the 4, it was a very valuable experience playing against stronger (players),” Jacobs said. “I think that’s really helped me now that I’ve moved back to the wing. Having more height and being physically stronger than a lot of wings, I want to use that to my advantage in the games.”

There are opportunities aplenty around up front with the losses of McKoy, da Silva and Mor Seck, the affable 7-footer who went into the transfer portal and ended up at Fresno State.

Utah Tech transfer Tanner Christensen, a 6-10, 265-pound center with a deft outside touch, was UH’s most consistent player in the exhibitions; he posted a double-double in each game. Christensen has drawn raves (and administered bruises) with his physical screen-setting to free up guards.

UH is also expected to get an instant impact from Xavier transfer Gytis Nemeiksa (pronounced NAY-MAKE-SHA), a rugged, 6-8 Lithuanian with a dour countenance.

“You guys saw the game face,” Ganot moments after Nemeiksa walked past a media scrum. “We talk a lot about ‘the look.’ We don’t have to tell him that.”

Nemeiksa started 20 games for the Musketeers, averaging 5.2 points and 4.2 rebounds.

“I expect him to follow the lead of what Kamaka (Hepa) and Jerome Desrosiers and Justin McKoy have done in the past,” Ganot said of the senior. “They’ve also had a process to go through. … But the potential’s there, the talent’s there, the desire’s there. He’s gotta stay with it.”

Along with junior Harry Rouhliadeff, UH is also expected to include Valparaiso transfer Jerome Palm in the frontcourt rotation. Palm, a vocal presence at 6-10 and 225 pounds, has enthusiastically battled the beefier Christensen on a daily basis.

“They come in and have that physicality from the get-go,” Beattie said of the bigs. “They have some of the biggest voices in the locker room. Experience, knowledge, and very smart dudes.”

SJSU went 9-23 last season and Pacific was 6-26.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.