SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii and its partners conducted a full-scale exercise simulating an emergency evacuation of Oahu’s west side through Kolekole Pass on Feb. 5. The exercise tested evacuation plans for communities from Nānākuli to Mākaha, emphasizing the critical role of Kolekole Pass as an alternative route during man-made or natural disasters.
The exercise involved more than 50 federal, state, city and county vehicles traveling from Lualualei Naval Reservation through Kolekole Pass and exiting into Wahiawā via Schofield Barracks. Exercise coordinators temporarily closed portions of Lyman Road on base and base access at Lyman Gate to replicate actual conditions and evaluate traffic management strategies.
“Kolekole Pass is a vital lifeline for the west side of Oahu during emergencies,” said Col. Rachel Sullivan, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii commanding officer. “This joint exercise ensures we can safely and effectively use the pass to protect lives and property in a crisis. Currently, there are no immediate plans to open Kolekole Pass for public or commercial transit. This exercise is a proactive step toward maintaining its readiness as an emergency evacuation route.”
The first actual rehearsal of the full-scale exercise was a tabletop exercise held in November 2023, which brought together federal, state and county agencies, including the Honolulu Police Department, Honolulu Fire Department, Hawaii Department of Transportation and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. That exercise focused on planning and coordination, while this week’s drill put those plans into action.
“This exercise gives us an opportunity to learn if there's anything that we need to refine to be ready to respond to a potential emergency evacuation through Kolekole Pass,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Sam “Smokey” White, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam commanding officer. “As a neighbor and partner in this community, we recognize that our presence goes beyond just being a military installation. We live here, this is our home, and we’re working together to protect our communities.”
Hawaii’s vulnerability to hurricanes, floods, wildfires and volcanic eruptions makes exercises like this essential. Kolekole Pass, once open to public transit, was closed due to safety concerns, including narrow roads, steep terrain and hazardous conditions. While the pass remains closed to regular transit, this exercise focused on its role as a critical evacuation route.
“Kolekole Pass offers a potential solution for emergency evacuations and support, especially for the thousands of residents on our Leeward coast,” said Don Aweau, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency executive officer. “By testing this route, we’re working to ensure that our West-side communities are prepared for the unexpected.”
Residents in nearby areas noticed an increase of activity, including emergency vehicles and personnel, and expressed interest in the potential evacuation route.
"With only one way in and out of the coast, it's essential that we have a reliable backup plan in place,” said Tiana Wilbur, a Waianae coast resident. “This has been a long time coming for us, and I'm thrilled that we're finally taking steps to potentially make Kolekole Pass a viable emergency route. I'm excited to see the positive impact it will have on our ability to respond to emergencies and keep our community safe."
Preliminary results of the exercise highlighted several successes, including efficient coordination between agencies and timely evacuation simulations. Officials also identified areas for improvement, such as streamlining traffic flow and enhancing public communication.
The full-scale exercise marked a proactive step in Hawaii’s emergency preparedness efforts. Joint leaders are planning to conduct a thorough review of the results and implement improvements to evacuation plans for the next exercise.
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