Hawaii Army National Guard bids farewell to Tahara, welcomes Hogsten as new commander

Official Statements

• 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii), November 15: “Kapolei, Hawaii - The Hawaii Army National Guard conducted a change of command ceremony in Kapolei, Hawaii, on Nov. 14, 2026. During the event, Brig. Gen. Tyson Y. Tahara relinquished command of the Hawaii Army National Guard to Brig. Gen. Ronald D. Hogsten before a formation of Soldiers, family members, and distinguished guests.”

• 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii), November 15: “The change of command is a time-honored ritual for the organization, maintaining continuous command authority for the operational readiness of more than 3,000 U.S. Soldiers of the Hawaii Army National Guard serving the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the Pacific theater.”

• 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii), November 15: "Command of the Hawaii Army National Guard is an extraordinary trust - one held on behalf of our Soldiers, their families, and the people of Hawaii," said Maj. Gen. Stephen F. Logan, the adjutant general of the state of Hawaii. "As the colors pass today, remember that our core mission does not change. Our commitment to warfighting readiness, our kuleana (responsibility) to our island communities, and our sacred obligation to the state of Hawaii and the United States remain steadfast."

• 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii), November 15: “The central moment of the ceremony was the passing of the Hawaii Army National Guard organizational colors. Command Sgt. Maj. Roy Yamada, command sergeant major for the Hawaii Army National Guard, retrieved the colors and handed them to Tahara, who passed them to Logan, symbolizing the completion of his command tenure. Logan then entrusted the colors to Hogsten, charging him with the responsibility, leadership, and care of the command.”

• 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii), November 15: “Tahara, who assumed command in September 2024 and led the Hawaii Army National Guard through major federal and state missions - including a Southern Border deployment, wildfire responses in Kunia, Mount Ka'ala, and Mana Road, and rescue operations during multiple Kona Low severe weather events - reflected on his time leading the force as he prepares to retire after more than three decades of military service.”

• 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii), November 15: "As I relinquish command today, I do so with tremendous confidence in this organization and in the people who will continue its legacy," Tahara said. "Leadership positions change, and commanders come and go, but the mission and the commitment of our Soldiers remain steadfast. I will always be proud to have served alongside many of you."

• 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii), November 15: “During Tahara’s tenure, the Hawaii Army National Guard focused on getting back to the basics to strengthen unit readiness, implementing lessons learned from the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, Louisiana, while aligning formations with Army modernization initiatives. Following the transfer of authority, Hogsten outlined his command priorities - focusing on people, operational strength, and modernization - while emphasizing the organization's dual state and federal mission in the Pacific.”

• 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii), November 15: "My pledge to the Governor, the Adjutant General, and the Soldiers and families of the Hawaii Army National Guard is simple and unchanged: I will lead with grace, humility, purpose, and give my very best every day," Hogsten said. "We serve in the nation's most consequential theater: the Pacific. The Hawaii Army National Guard has a no-fail mission. We must be ready at a moment's notice to assist our communities when disaster strikes.”

• 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii), November 15: “At the same time, remain razor-focused on defending our state and the homeland and, if necessary, deploy, fight, and win as part of Pacific Command's Joint Force." Hogsten also highlighted upcoming force structure transformations, noting that "Hawaii's Soldiers are second to none."

• 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii), November 15: "The years ahead will be transformational," Hogsten said. "As we convert the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to a mobile brigade, we must modernize our land and aviation formations. We must align our modernization efforts with the 25th Infantry Division and the 38th Infantry Division to maintain interoperability and ensure we have the technologies, platforms, and force structure necessary to fight, survive, and win in the Pacific."

• 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii), November 15: “Hogsten, who began his military career as an enlisted Soldier in 1997 before commissioning as a military police officer, assumes command after previously commanding the Multi-Functional Training Regiment and serving as both the Hawaii Army National Guard chief of staff and director of the Joint Staff. Following the formal ceremony, attendees gathered for a traditional reception and lei presentation to honor both general officers.”