PARTICIPATE IN ADAPTIVE SPORTS

Espino made history in Hawaii as the first member to join the CNRH NWW program. Crane shares her story about his journey.

“In 2014, I was a recovery care coordinator so I was a case manager for all the wounded warriors here on the island and my first recovering service member or RSM was Roel Espino,” explained Crane. “He was injured since 2013 and was still with us until 2014, and so it’s been wonderful all these years to follow his journey after he retired with us and stayed on as part of the adaptive athletics team and now coach.”

As part of being a coach, Espino shared his advice to other wounded warriors who are going through the same situation.

“Help is available, get it. You don’t have to go through the struggles alone,” he said. “There are people that are willing to help you and do whatever you need to do to get back on your feet, and stay in the fight.”

In addition to the adaptive sports camp, the event also included a boat tour to the USS Arizona Memorial, and concluded with a dinner and cake-cutting ceremony on Feb. 10.

According to the Navy Wounded Warrior website, “Navy Wounded Warrior coordinates the non-medical care of seriously wounded, ill, and injured Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, and provides resources and support to their families and caregivers. Regional non-medical care providers tailor support to each enrolled service member’s recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration needs. The program allows service members and their families to focus on recovery without distraction. To date, nearly 10,000 seriously wounded, ill, and injured service members located throughout the country received assistance. Enrollment in Navy Wounded Warrior does not end when a service member leaves a medical treatment facility. Navy Wounded Warrior provides a lifetime of support.”

To sign up for the Navy Wounded Warrior program, contact 1-855-NAVY-WWP (6289997) or for more information, visit their website at https://www.navywoundedwarrior. com/ or “Like” them on Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/navywoundedwarrior

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) started the year by spearheading cleanup e orts at Kapilina Beach and Lualualei Naval Road, located on the west side of Oahu. This cleanup e ort would not have been possible without the participation of various agencies and the local community.

“From boat jet skis, car doors and wheels, the tires were almost the rst things to go,” said Cpl. Carvin Francois of the 25th Infantry Division. Over 15 tons of bulk junk were collected for both cleanups and over 40 people worked tirelessly to clear the areas from the mountains (mauka) to the ocean (makai). Beloved for its coastal resources and quality of kalo (taro) by ancient Hawaiians, the areas from the Waianae coastlines to the naval road bordering the Waianae mountains, have since gained notoriety as grounds for illegal dumping.

In addition to the area posing health and safety hazards for life’s surroundings, the area has become an eyesore, especially to those who know the lands’ rich and perpetual history.