HANAPEPE — A Hawai‘i Army National Guard soldier died Wednesday afternoon while on duty in the vehicle maintenance shop of the Hanapepe Armory. Sgt. 1st Class Eric Yasuji Fujiwara, 54, a light-wheeled mechanic, was found unresponsive by another soldier. He
HANAPEPE — A Hawai‘i Army National Guard soldier died Wednesday afternoon while on duty in the vehicle maintenance shop of the Hanapepe Armory.
Sgt. 1st Class Eric Yasuji Fujiwara, 54, a light-wheeled mechanic, was found unresponsive by another soldier.
He had just completed some physical training and was still in his workout attire.
Soldiers performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, which was continued by paramedics after they arrived on the site. Fujiwara was then transported to Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead around 1 p.m.
“My dad was an awesome dad. He loved us very much and adored his grandkids,” said Michelle Hinazumi, Fujiwara’s daughter.
The cause of Fujiwara’s death is unknown at this time.
Fujiwara was a full-time federal technician and had 37 years of service in the Hawai‘i Army National Guard.
He was twice deployed with the HIARNG’s 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, serving in Iraq and a second tour in Kuwait.
The family has been notified and are flying in from other islands to make arrangements. A HIARNG Casualty Assistance Officer has been assigned to offer support.
