Nainoa Hoe
Born on the rise of a beautiful August full moon and raised on the island of O'ahu, First Lieutenant Nainoa Keali`ihokuhelelani Hoe was an avid surfer and swimmer who took great pride in his Hawaiian ancestry. His early years were special, growing up at the base of Mt. Olomana in Maunawili Valley. Nainoa attended Kamehameha Schools where he was very active in the JROTC Program as its Ranger Challenge Team's Leader. He then enrolled at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa were he earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Information Sciences and Business Administration.
As an undergraduate at UH, Nainoa demonstrated his great pride in his country by enlisting the United States Army Reserves. He attained the rank of Specialist with the US Forces in Korea, and he was selected as the USFK/IX Soldier of the Year and USARPAC Soldier of the Year. He was also the runner up to the US Army Reserve Command's Soldier of the Year in 2001.
After a year of working as a computer specialist Nainoa returned to the University of Hawai‘i College of Business Administration in the fall of 2001 by being awarded the "FISH" MBA Academic Scholarship. Simultaneously, he enrolled in the U.S. Army Cadet Command's "Warrior Battalion" ROTC Program at the University. During his tenure he served as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major, the S3, and the Battalion Commander. He earned the General George Marshall Award and the Hawai‘i Governor's Award. He also earned the coveted Navy Scuba Bubble from the elite dive school at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Nainoa was ranked fourth nationally amongst all ROTC cadets when he received his "gold bars" as a commissioned Infantry Officer on May 17, 2003.
As an active duty Army Officer Nainoa was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington and assigned to 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment. He was most proud of this assignment since he knew the "Gimlet's" history. The 3/21 Infantry had served along side his father's unit, Recon 2/1 Infantry in the 196th Infantry Brigade, in Vietnam. Nainoa's father, Allen, had served in Vietnam as a Combat Medic with the 196th Infantry Brigade where he was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
In Iraq, Hoe was a popular platoon leader in an infantry unit. During combat operations, while leading his unit in Mosul, Hoe was shot by a sniper. Hoe died while serving his country on January 22, 2005, age 27 years.
Nainoa and his wife, Emily, had been married shortly before his deployment began. He also leaves behind his parents and a brother, SSG Nakoa Hoe, who also has served in OIF III, with the 100/442 Infantry.
Nainoa's native warrior name is "Kekoa`aikamakaniuhi", and the people of Hawai‘i still weep for their beloved warrior. His funeral was ceremoniously attended by military in full dress uniform, along side an elite contingent of Hawaii's finest Na Koa, ancient warrior martial arts practitioners.
Hoe was Airborne-qualified and an Army Ranger having successfully completed Ranger Schoo l in one pass as a member of Class 4-04. He earned the Combat Infantryman Badge and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. In 2006, the State of Hawaii posthumously awarded him the Hawaii State Medal of Honor.
Read about Misson Continues Fellow Mike Pereira , the first Nainoa Hoe Memorial Fellow.
