The VAQ-130 Zappers said goodbye to one of their best on June 14.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Leialoha Kuapahi retired from active duty service in a relaxed and friendly ceremony at the Chief Petty Officers’ Club.

A much-loved member of the squadron, his strong personality and even stronger work ethic made him a valuable asset to Zappers of all ranks.

Said Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Tom Slais, “Senior Chief Kuapahi is a consummate professional, a concerned and involved mentor and a superb leader who has dedicated 26 years of faithful service to our Navy and our Nation.”

Another Zapper who thinks highly of Kuapahi is Lt. Cmdr. Pete Yelle, Maintenance Officer. “His lasting contribution to the squadron and his sense of humor made him a joy to work with,” said Yelle. “His personality and work ethic propagated down to the Sailors.”

AM2 Gary Harpster agreed, saying, “It’s the people like him, people who care, that make the Navy worthwhile.”

“I think the Navy is going to be a darker place without him,” said ADCS(AW/SW) Todd Brokaw.

Born in Waimea, Kauai, Hawaii in 1961, Kuapahi graduated from Waimea High School in 1979 and joined the Navy. Leaving boot camp in September 1979 as an Airman Recruit, he reported to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Training Squadron 110 for practical job training.

From RVAW-110, Kuapahi was sent to VAW-115 aboard USS Midway (CV 41) forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.

In June 1982, Kuapahi advanced to AMS3 and re-enlisted for orders closer to home, AIMD NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. There, Kuapahi was responsible for stripping, conditioning and repainting aircraft components and flight control surfaces and performed Type AC2 prevention on various aircraft. During this tour he attained the rank of AMS2.

Kuapahi married Amy Croner in 1986 and decided to re-enlist for orders to Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Hawaii. His job involved the scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of six UH-3A helicopters. While in Hawaii, Amy gave birth to a baby boy, Keoni Tyler.

Next, Kuapahi reported to VAQ-131 in 1991. While a Lancer, he worked as shift supervisor, shop supervisor, airframes QAR, Line LPO, flight deck coordinator, and maintenance coordinator. He attained the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class, was designated an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist and later selected to the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

In this tour, Kuapahi deployed on two Western Pacific deployments aboard USS Ranger (CV 61) and USS Constellation (CV 64) and participated in Operations Southern Watch and Restore Hope.

In 1995, Kuapahi left the Lancers for the Warlords of HSL-51 in NAF Atsugi, Japan. He worked as Aircraft Division Leading Chief Petty Officer, Command EAWS Coordinator, Respirator Protection Program Manager and maintenance controller of 14 SH-60B and on UH-3H helicopters.

In the fall of 1998, Kuapahi returned to PMRF Barking Sands assigned to maintenance control. He was selected to Senior Chief Petty Officer and participated in two multi-national Rim of the Pacific exercises.

Kuapahi reported to the Zappers of VAQ-130 in 2002 as the Aircraft Division Leading Chief Petty Officer. He also served as maintenance controller, QA supervisor and completed his tour in Maintenance Control where he received his designation as an Enlisted Surface Warfare

Specialist. He deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf in direct support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom aboard

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

His decorations include Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), Navy Good Conduct Medal (five awards) and numerous service medals and unit citations.