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 Lt. Andrew Kwong-Wright, from Honolulu.
Kwong-Wright graduated from Punahou High School in 2016 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2020 and a master’s in combat systems engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Upon joining the Navy, Kwong-Wright quickly found that many of the skills and values forged in Honolulu were the same as those needed to succeed in the Navy.
“Growing up on Oahu made me value the importance of having an active lifestyle at a young age, as many of my favorite activities like hiking, surfing and snorkeling require a baseline of physical fitness,” Kwong-Wright said. “Playing sports taught me the importance of hard work, but most importantly, the value of being a team player.”
Kwong-Wright, who joined the Navy six years ago, is assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37, known as the “Easyriders,” stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to do a job that made a difference and helped to defend our way of life,” Kwong-Wright said. “Being a part of the Navy has given me opportunities to grow and be a part of something much bigger than myself.”
Kwong-Wright 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.
“Participating in this Navy Week is important to me because I knew very little about the military until I was halfway through high school,” Kwong-Wright said. “Without programs like this, others who would be interested may never find out about the opportunities the Navy has to offer.”
Today, Kwong-Wright serves as a pilot.
“I fly the MH-60 Romeo, which is a Navy helicopter designed for a wide variety of mission sets,” Kwong-Wright said. “Because we do many different missions, there is no typical day of work for us. We could be training for search and rescue one day, and antisubmarine warfare the next.”
Kwong-Wright has had many opportunities to excel in the Navy and sees military service as more than just a job – it represents a chance to become a better person.
“I am most proud of becoming an aircraft commander and division officer, where I work to help sailors achieve their personal and professional goals,” Kwong-Wright said.
Kwong-Wright is grateful for the Honolulu community and for those who helped make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife for her patience and support through my deployments, and my parents for everything they sacrificed to raise me,” Kwong-Wright said.
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/.