Tokuda visits Pacific Missile Range Facility during Hurricane Lowell recovery operations

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, a Democrat representing Hawai‘i’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Kaua‘i, toured Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands on Sept. 10 in West Kaua‘i to see firsthand damage from Hurricane Lowell and ongoing recovery efforts in the storm’s aftermath.

Tokuda met with sailors, installation personnel and Pacific Missile Range Facility Commanding Officer Capt. Robert Prince, who provided additional information and context about storm impacts, recovery and mission readiness.

“Rep. Tokuda’s visit provided an important opportunity to highlight the storm’s impacts and the close connection between [Pacific Missile Range Facility] and Kaua‘i community as we recover from Hurricane Lowell,” said Prince. “We rely on many of the same lifelines and critical infrastructure across the island, and our recovery efforts are focused not only on restoring normal operations, but also on strengthening the resilience that supports mission readiness and community well-being.”

Pacific Missile Range Facility is a major employer on the island and thus deeply tied to the community it serves.

Much of the installation’s 900-plus workforce lives in West Kaua‘i and recovering from the same storm impacts at home as at work.

The visit reinforced the importance of building greater redundancy in infrastructure and restoration of mission essential operations, while also recognizing the longstanding bond between the U.S. Navy facility and local community through its workforce.

Pacific Missile Range Facility remains focused on restoring critical assets needed to return to normal operations.