Ryan Mahelona KSK’91 becomes third Native Hawaiian to achieve rank of rear admiral

Ryan Mahelona KSK’91 is the third Native Hawaiian to achieve rank of rear admiral. Through his 33-year career in the U.S. Navy, Mahelona has developed a vast knowledge and understanding of computer network engineering and cybersecurity and the new rear admiral lower half will serve as deputy commander for the Tenth Fleet – the Navy’s cyber and space arm.

While playing football for the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Warriors in high school, Ryan Mahelona KSK’91 heeded words of wisdom from coach Blane Gaison KSK’76 that would eventually help set him on a course toward becoming a preeminent ‘ōiwi leader.

Gaison, a heralded player for the Warriors who also starred at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and in the National Football League before transitioning into coaching and athletics administration, told Mahelona: “Success is the intersection between preparation and opportunity.” While the quote is traditionally attributed to three-time Indy 500 racecar driver Bobby Unser, Gaison adapted it for his players, and Mahelona took the advice to heart; he realized that putting in the hard work would set him up for success on the gridiron and later in life.

After graduating from Kamehameha, Mahelona went on to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. And while he initially didn’t forecast a lengthy career as part of the armed forces, Mahelona built what has become a 33-year career in the Navy during which he advanced to become a Navy Reserve captain. Earlier this year, Mahelona, who studied and developed a vast knowledge of computer network engineering and cybersecurity, was notified that he was being promoted to the rank of rear admiral lower half and will serve as deputy commander for the Tenth Fleet – the Navy’s cyber and space arm responsible for information network operations, cyber operations, space operations and signals intelligence.

“You have to be ready for that opportunity, and that’s where success comes into play,” says Mahelona when thinking back to Gaison’s words of wisdom. “If you miss that opportunity, then you have to wait for the next wave to come in. But, as long as you’re prepared for the moment, chances are you’ll have a good opportunity to do well and become successful.”

Not only was the accomplishment a major milestone for Mahelona, but it also represented a historic achievement for Native Hawaiians. Mahelona is just the third Native Hawaiian to achieve the rank, joining Admiral Gordon Paiea Chung-Hoon and Vice Admiral Robert Kihune KSK’55, the latter of whom retired from the Navy in 1994 after 35 years of service and went on to serve as a Kamehameha Schools Trustee.

“I’ve been waiting for years for another Native Hawaiian to become an admiral, and I was getting a little worried because I’m 87 years old, and I wanted to be alive to see something like this happen,” Kihune says. “The Navy is a seafaring service and I’m always surprised that there aren’t more Native Hawaiians joining because that’s where Hawaiians belong, on the sea! I just hope Ryan in his role can interest more Native Hawaiians about the Navy. Be proud of who you are: an American and Native Hawaiian leader.

Mahelona chose to have his promotion ceremony on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri in Pu‘uloa (also known as Pearl Harbor) on Oct. 5 before family, friends, classmates, KS leaders and fellow service members, including his wife, Grace, daughter, Chelsea, and son, Micah. During the momentous occasion Kihune presented Mahelona with his official promotion award before he was officially “pinned” with the new, one-star ranking.

Prior to his official promotion ceremony, Mahelona took time to meet with haumāna at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama to share leadership lessons and answer questions about his career and life journey thus far.

“It was very inspiring and powerful because we heard his whole story, all the way from the beginning, about how he moved up ranks and traveled around the world,” says KSK Middle School student Alazel Antonio.

Mahelona engaged with hundreds of Residential Life students in high school during a dinner forum and held a question-and-answer session with two middle school leadership classes – all while marveling at the positive changes made to the KS Kapālama campus in the 30-plus years since he graduated.

“They asked great questions and hearing them engaged from a leadership perspective is very promising to see that the future of our haumāna is bright,” Mahelona says. “We have a lot of great leaders in the making, and we need to continue to get more kids to realize that they have the potential to do whatever they want to do and be leaders in our communities.”

Now that he’s underway in his new leadership role, Mahelona looks forward to making a positive impact as a leader, both for the nation as well as the lāhui.

“Leadership is many things; first and foremost, it’s about taking care of your people,” Mahelona says. “Gaining that unity and building trust to accomplish the mission. But, at the same time, it’s not all about the mission. You need to sincerely consider mentoring and growing those who follow you. Quite frankly as a leader, I’m not going to be here forever. I want the next generation to come in, take the reins, and take us further than we are today.”

During his time back on campus, Mahelona took time with his ‘ohana to tour the school and reminisce about his time at Kamehameha Schools, while also reflecting on the extraordinary blessing of education.

“If it weren’t for the foundation that I was given at Kamehameha Schools, obviously I wouldn’t be in the shoes that I’m in now,” Mahelona says. “It took a long time to get here, but looking back and reflecting on what that means and seeing some of the kids here today and thinking that they could be the next admiral or CEO of the future. Words can’t express those feelings of gratitude I have. I can’t thank Ke Ali‘i Pauahi enough for having that foresight and vision to help Hawaiian children be successful, whether that’s in the military or private industry.”

Vice Admiral Robert Kihune KSK’55, who retired from the Navy in 1994 after 35 years of service and went on to serve as a Kamehameha Schools Trustee, presided over Mahelona’s promotion ceremony on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri on Oct. 5.

In the days leading up to his promotion ceremony, Mahelona engaged with hundreds of Residential Life students in high school during a dinner forum and held a question-and-answer session with two middle school leadership classes at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama.

During his promotion ceremony remarks, Mahelona was grateful for the support of his ‘ohana, including his daughter, Chelsea, son, Micah, and wife, Grace.