MILLINGTON, Tenn. – U.S. Navy sailors from across the fleet are headed to the islands for Hawaii Navy Week, March 9 to 15, to volunteer in the community and discuss why the Navy matters to the Aloha State.
While many of the sailors are from all over the country, this Navy Week will carry special meaning for visiting sailors from the area, including Petty Officer 2nd Class Canyon Barrilleaux, from Hilo.
Barrilleaux graduated from Hilo High School in 2023. Upon joining the Navy, Barrilleaux quickly found that many of the skills and values forged in Hilo were the same as those needed to succeed in the Navy.
“A life lesson that has stuck with me is treating people the way you want to be treated,” Barrilleaux said. “I will always try my best in every aspect to assist anyone who needs help, no matter how small, even if I don’t know how to help them. I will try my best to help them or find someone who knows how to help them.”
Barrilleaux, who joined the Navy three years ago, is assigned to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station (NCTAMS) Pacific on Oahu.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to get real-life experience while traveling the world and serving my country,” Barrilleaux said.
Barrilleaux is part of the first Navy Week to be hosted in Hawaii. Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity.
“The big reason I wanted to participate in the Navy Week is to tell people who have the same or similar backgrounds as me all about all the benefits of joining the Navy,” Barrilleaux said.
Today, Barrilleaux serves as an information systems technician.
“I am a watch stander at the largest naval communications station in the world,” Barrilleaux said. “Specifically, I am in the messaging center. My daily responsibilities consist of maintaining and operating the messaging system to support naval operations across the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.”
Barrilleaux is grateful for the Hilo community and for those who helped make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom and dad for always supporting me in my decisions and helping me in my journey,” Barrilleaux added.
Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to communities like those in Hawaii.
“We’re excited to bring Navy Week to Hawaii for the first time and continue the 2026 tour in this vital part of the Pacific,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, director of the Navy Office of Community Outreach. “Hawaii has long been a cornerstone of our Navy’s presence, and this event is a great opportunity to strengthen the bond between our sailors and the community while celebrating the Aloha spirit and Hawaii’s strategic role in our nation’s defense.”
While on Big Island, approximately 50 sailors will partner with organizations like Volcanoes National Park, OK Farms, Lavaloha Farms or Carve4Vets for service-based projects; University of Hawaii Hilo, Kamehameha Schools and Hilo-Waiakea Schools for educational visits; Mokupapapa Discovery Center, Kileauea Military Camp, and Pana’ewa Zoo Gardens for static displays; and daily performances from the U.S. Pacific Fleet band at places like Rainbow Falls, Hilo Public Library and the Mooheau Bandstand.
Meanwhile on Oahu, locally-based sailors from across the island will be engaged in events to include a swearing in and proclamation ceremony with the Governor’s Office; volunteer engagements at The Pantry, Hawaii Public Libraries and River of Life Mission; band performances at Ala Moana Center Stage and the Waikiki International Marketplace; and up front and center at the Honolulu Festival Grand Parade.
For a list of public events, visit https://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Honolulu-Hilo-2026/.