Col. Kenneth Hara will assume command of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Sunday afternoon at a ceremony at the Kapolei High School football field.

He will replace Col. Keith Tamashiro who has commanded the brigade since  June 2010.

Hara, 42, comes a Big Island family which has along history with the Hawaii Army National Guard starting with his late father Lt. Col. Henry Hara who was a full-time National Guard soldier for four decades.

His eldest brother, Brig. Gen. Gary Hara, currently leads the Hawaii Army National Guard.

Two other brothers — Dennis and Larry — also serve as citizen soldiers.

The ceremony for Kenneth Hara will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The 29th IBCT was organized in the Hawaii Army National Guard in January 1959.  The Brigade is the largest unit in the Hawaii National Guard and is currently comprised of elements located on Hawaii Island, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Guam and in Arizona. Brigade soldiers have served in the Vietnam War, Afghanistan, and twice in Iraq. Currently, the 29th IBCT is preparing to deploy a portion of its soldiers in support of operations in South-West Asia. 

 Kenneth Hara was commissioned in 1987. He has served two combat tours in Iraq. He has also served on numerous state missions including support of disaster recovery operations after Hurricane Iniki and the October 15, 2006 earthquake.