Afternoon ceremony will mark change of command

Col. Kenneth Hara will assume command of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team this 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 from a Hawaii island family that has a long 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 Guard. Two other brothers — Dennis and Larry — also serve as citizen soldiers.

Kenneth Hara, commissioned in 1987, served two combat tours in Iraq.