State of Hawai’i Department of Defense

The State of Hawai’i, Department of Defense (HIDOD) is over 6,000 individuals strong and led by a director called The Adjutant General. HIDOD includes five divisions: the Hawai’i Army National Guard (HIARNG), the Hawai’i Air National Guard (HIANG), the Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), the Office of Veterans’ Services (OVS) and Civilian Military Programs (Civ-Mil). The mission of HIDOD is to assist authorities in providing for the safety, welfare and defense of the people of Hawai’i. The department maintains its readiness to respond to the needs of the people in the event of disasters, natural or human-caused. Along with the vital missions of the Hawai’i National Guard and HI-EMA, two HIDOD divisions focus on noteworthy community members, our veterans and our youth. OVS is responsible for development and management of policies and programs related to veterans’, their dependents, and/or survivors; and oversees the Hawai’i State Veterans Cemetery in Kane’ohe. Civ-Mil Programs includes three branches: Na Kula Alaka’i (Youth Challenge Academy and Job Challenge Academy), STARBASE (afterschool STEM program) and the Hawaii State Approving Agency.