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Home : Media : News
NEWS | May 27, 2021

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard says Aloha 'Oe to Senior Civilian Kaipo Crowell

By Kate Necaise, PHNSY & IMF Public Affairs

On April 29, the shipyard 'ohana gathered to show their appreciation and aloha to one of their own as he departed for retirement. After 38 years of faithful service to the Department of the Navy, Code 2300 Nuclear Engineering and Planning Officer and Senior Executive Service civilian Kaipo Crowell officially hung up his dosimeter at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF).

To adhere to shipyard COVID mitigations, the planning committee set up a meet-and-greet outside of Building 9 to allow the workforce an opportunity to celebrate Kaipo's retirement on their way into work. A physically-distanced line spanned along Paul Hamilton Avenue as well-wishers extended their congratulations to Kaipo and his wife, Peggy. There were many laughs and tears as generations of the shipyard workforce stacked lei upon lei around his neck.

Later that morning, a formal ceremony marked Mr. Crowell's official retirement from civilian service where Shipyard Commander Captain Greg Burton presented him with the Navy's Superior Civilian Service Award. As the highest honorary award that the Chief of Naval Operations can bestow upon Department of the Navy civilians, the Superior Civilian Service Award recognizes exceptional leadership and unparalleled contributions from Navy employees.

"For almost four decades, Kaipo has exemplified the core values of the shipyard – aloha, honor, courage and commitment.” said Captain Burton. "Thousands of shipyard workers have benefited from his leadership and mentorship over the years. He will be truly missed by the entire shipyard 'ohana."

Other notable speakers included Mrs. Peggy Crowell, who gave a heartfelt perspective of the couple's time at PHNSY & IMF, revisiting fond memories made with their extended shipyard family members. Mr. John Ornellas, Code 2300, also reminisced about Crowell's impact on his career, citing numerous examples of mentoring and friendship.

“Kaipo has been such a great role model and touched so many of us throughout his 38-year career.  He treasured his ‘ohana both at home and at work, built strong relationships with the workforce, and always stayed focused on properly balancing work, family life, and maintaining good health,” said Mr. Ornellas.  “Kaipo has been an inspiration to me from the day he hired me into the shipyard back in 1989.  We send him and Peggy all our Aloha as they take on new challenges as grandparents during retirement, and we will continue his legacy to bring out the best in people and demonstrate why Pearl Harbor is Nō Ka ‘Oi!!”

This labor of love could not have been achieved without the coordination of the planning committee. A big mahalo to the following teams for their contributions: Shop 67 PA team, Code 109, Code 1120, Code 1130, Code 1140, Code 1160, Code 2309.3, the Naval Civilian Managers Association and the National Association of Superintendents. Also, mahalo to Paul Dunlap and Sonny Kalua for their beautiful musical talents during the workforce walk-through and the official ceremony.

On behalf of the entire shipyard 'ohana, we wish the best of luck to Kaipo and Peggy in their retirement. Aloha & mahalo brother!

PHNSY & IMF is a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command and a one-stop regional maintenance center for the Navy’s surface ships and submarines. It is the largest industrial employer in the state of Hawaii. It is the most comprehensive fleet repair and maintenance facility between the U.S. West Coast and the Far East, strategically located in the heart of the Pacific, being about a week’s steaming time closer to potential regional contingencies in the Indo-Pacific.

For more news from Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & IMF, visit navsea.navy.mil/Home/Shipyards/PHNS-IMF or facebook.com/PearlHarborNavalShipyard.