Chapman is new ‘Officer in Charge’

NAWILIWILI — U.S. Coast Guard Chief Boatswin’s Mate Michael McHugh was relieved of his command at USCG Station Kauai, and received a promotion to Chief Warrant Officer on Friday during the dual-purpose ceremony at Station Kauai.

Officiated by Commander Kristen Hahn, Response Department Head, Sector Honolulu, CBM Kevin Chapman relieved McHugh as Officer in Charge at Station Kauai before an audience that included Kauai dignitaries, including recently installed Interim Police Chief Kalani Ke, Fire Chief Michael Gibson, the County Council, and representing Matson, Patrick Ono.

Following the Change of Command, Chief Warrant Officer Derek Shay officiated the promotion of CBM McHugh to Chief Warrant Officer.

Newly installed CWO McHugh assumed duties of Officer in Charge at Station Kauai in 2023. Originally from Spring Hill, Florida, McHugh enlisted in the Coast Guard in 2018. He is married to the former Michelle Delany, a veterinary technologist who helped at the Kauai Humane Society until their son, Weston Michael, joined the family in April. McHugh and his family will be moving to his next duty station in California.

CBM Chapman comes to Station Kauai from the USCG Cutter Pike in Petersburg, Alaska. He assumed duties as Executive Petty Officer onboard the cutter in June 2022. As the unit’s XPO, Chapman helped oversee 12 personnel in accomplishing their personal and professional goals while conducting he primary mission of search and rescue, and law enforcement.

Chapman has been married to Lisa Chapman since 2010 and have a 12-year-old daughter, Amanda, and an 11-year-old son, Joshua.

According to the day’s program, Coast Guard presence in Nawiliwili Harbor started in September 1990 when the CGC Point Harris moved to Kauai from Oahu.

After sustaining major damage from Hurricane Iniki, it was replaced in April 1993 by the CGC Point Evans.

Nawiliwili Harbor became the homeport of CGC Kittiwake in July 2000, and two years later, nine members from the Kittiwake derparted the cutter to establish Station (Small) Kauai.

The station grew, increasing its size of crew and its boats. In July 2010, the CGC Kittiwake changed its homeport to Oahu after “loaning” artifacts to the Kauai Veterans Museum. The Kittiwake’s departure left two 47-foot Motor Lifeboats that were replaced by two 45-foot Response Boat Mediums that shadowed the Change of Command ceremonies.

The primary mission of USCG Station Kauai executed by approximately 20 members include Search and Rescue, Federal Law Enforcement, and joint operations with local agencies around the island as needed. Station Kauai’s area of responsibility extends approximately 50 nautical miles in all directions from Kauai, encompassing the Island of Niihau.

Station Kauai is a part of Coast Guard Sector Honolulu.

Other Sector Honolulu units that operate within Kauai County include the Fast Response Cutters Joseph Gerczar, Oliver Berry, and William Hart as well as Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team Honolulu. The buoy tender CGC Juniper is seen periodically servicing the Aids to Navigation in the Kauai County.
Source: The Garden Island