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. Madison Kwok, from Kaimuki.
Kwok graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy in 2015 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in film and journalism from Humboldt State University in 2019.
Upon joining the Navy, Kwok quickly found that many of the skills and values forged in Kaimuki were the same as those needed to succeed in the Navy.
“The spirit of aloha is something that all keiki are taught in the islands, but it’s not something that can be learned in schools,” Kwok said. “I have learned that it is something given, not received; something that binds the different walks of life that form the modern-day culture of Hawaii. I have found that no matter how far I am sent from home, I seem to look for that spirit of aloha, and am reminded to share this value wherever I go.”
Kwok, who joined the Navy four years ago, is assigned to the Navy Office of Community Outreach.
“Naval service was not a path carved out for me,” Kwok said. “I am the first in my immediate family to serve, and my decision to do so was one that still surprises family and friends. I just celebrated my 10-year high school anniversary, and despite the military’s robust presence on the island, 18-year-old Madison would be in disbelief at what the future had yielded since.”
Kwok’s family played a role in her decision to consider serving in the Navy.
“On the surface, I joined the Navy to get away from the suffocation of the pandemic, but being the first person in my family to serve resonates with me on a deeper level,” Kwok said. “Eighty-five years ago, my grandfather witnessed the attack of Pearl Harbor from his own backyard. Following the attack, he attempted to join the Army. We believe he was denied the opportunity to serve because the nation was at war with his heritage lands. Eighty-five years later, it is an honor to serve the nation that he loved so deeply.”
Kwok 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.
“This Navy Week is important to me because I am leading planning efforts in my home state of Hawaii for its inaugural event,” Kwok said. “While every week on Oahu is ‘Navy Week’ given the proximity to Pearl Harbor’s fleet concentration, the outer islands like the Big Island do not have the same exposure. My grandmother is a native of Kohala and my family still has deep roots on the island. This Navy Week planning has been special to me, as in Hawaii fashion, it has truly been a community effort, as friends, family, and newfound ‘aunties’ and ‘uncles’ have embraced these efforts and poured their own energy into our efforts.”
Today, Kwok serves as a public affairs officer.
“I am currently an outreach event planner at the Navy Office of Community Outreach and am responsible for planning, executing and overseeing efforts like Navy Weeks across the country,” Kwok said.
Kwok 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.
“The Navy has tested my grit, resilience and patience, and I feel more confident in life because of it,” Kwok said.
Kwok is grateful for the Kaimuki community and for those who helped make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents, Jack and Lynn,” Kwok said. “I didn’t become a doctor or lawyer like expected, but somehow a liberal arts degree landed me in a career that has afforded me so many opportunities and experiences, and they’ve been eager to be part of every step of this journey.”
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/.
“The spirit of aloha is something that all keiki are taught in the islands, but it’s not something that can be learned in schools,” Kwok said. “I have learned that it is something given, not received; something that binds the different walks of life that form the modern-day culture of Hawaii. I have found that no matter how far I am sent from home, I seem to look for that spirit of aloha, and am reminded to share this value wherever I go.”
Kwok, who joined the Navy four years ago, is assigned to the Navy Office of Community Outreach.
“Naval service was not a path carved out for me,” Kwok said. “I am the first in my immediate family to serve, and my decision to do so was one that still surprises family and friends. I just celebrated my 10-year high school anniversary, and despite the military’s robust presence on the island, 18-year-old Madison would be in disbelief at what the future had yielded since.”
Kwok’s family played a role in her decision to consider serving in the Navy.
“On the surface, I joined the Navy to get away from the suffocation of the pandemic, but being the first person in my family to serve resonates with me on a deeper level,” Kwok said. “Eighty-five years ago, my grandfather witnessed the attack of Pearl Harbor from his own backyard. Following the attack, he attempted to join the Army. We believe he was denied the opportunity to serve because the nation was at war with his heritage lands. Eighty-five years later, it is an honor to serve the nation that he loved so deeply.”
Kwok 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.
“This Navy Week is important to me because I am leading planning efforts in my home state of Hawaii for its inaugural event,” Kwok said. “While every week on Oahu is ‘Navy Week’ given the proximity to Pearl Harbor’s fleet concentration, the outer islands like the Big Island do not have the same exposure. My grandmother is a native of Kohala and my family still has deep roots on the island. This Navy Week planning has been special to me, as in Hawaii fashion, it has truly been a community effort, as friends, family, and newfound ‘aunties’ and ‘uncles’ have embraced these efforts and poured their own energy into our efforts.”
Today, Kwok serves as a public affairs officer.
“I am currently an outreach event planner at the Navy Office of Community Outreach and am responsible for planning, executing and overseeing efforts like Navy Weeks across the country,” Kwok said.
Kwok 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.
“The Navy has tested my grit, resilience and patience, and I feel more confident in life because of it,” Kwok said.
Kwok is grateful for the Kaimuki community and for those who helped make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents, Jack and Lynn,” Kwok said. “I didn’t become a doctor or lawyer like expected, but somehow a liberal arts degree landed me in a career that has afforded me so many opportunities and experiences, and they’ve been eager to be part of every step of this journey.”
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/.