Hawaii Guardsman finds success in winding 40-year aviation, infantry journey

WASHINGTON — Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara was just settling into his new role as the adjutant general of the state of Hawaii, having taken over the position a few months prior, when he got a call from the governor’s office in March 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic was starting, and the governor wanted Hara to be the incident commander for the state’s response. “I knew nothing about pandemics,” he said. “And in my mind, I was thinking ‘no way, not me’ and then out of my mouth comes “Yes, sir! When do I start?”