Koa Kai Award West
The Billy Hurley III Foundation “Koa Kai” Award recognizes Navy enlisted sailors (E-6 and junior) on the Pearl Harbor waterfront who have demonstrated exceptional professional competence. Selection for this award will be based on the ideals and qualities which were important to Billy and his shipmates on sea duty. These include watch team back up, leading from the front, proactive problem solving, and investment in the training of peers and subordinates. Sailors must be stationed on a surface ship home-ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to be considered for this award. Koa Kai is Hawaiian for “sea warrior” and became important to Billy during his active duty time aboard USS CHUNG-HOON (DDG 93) whose motto is “Imua e, na koa kai” (Go forward, sea warriors).
***Incident to the award is a Hawaiian vacation experience fully funded by the Billy Hurley III Foundation
2025 KOA KAI WEST AWARDEES | |||
Rank | First Name | Last Name | Ship |
QMSR | Diamond | Arrington | USS HOPPER (DDG 70) |
GSM2 | Hunter | Beck | USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG 112) |
BM2 | Jacob | Cribb | USS HOPPER (DDG 70) |
HT2 | Haleigh | Dermanouelian | USS WAYNE E. MEYER (DDG 108) |
DC2 | Phillip | Fenti | USS DANIEL INOUYE (DDG 118) |
HM1 | Stephon | Frost | USS DECATUR (DDG 73) |
YN1 | Antoinette | Gomes | USS HOOPER (DDG 70) |
MA1 | Tommi | Kitchens | USS DANIEL INOUYE (DDG 118) |
BM1 | Annalise | Narro | USS WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE (DDG 110) |
RS1 | Isaac | Payne | USS SHILOH (CG 67) |
FCA1 | Brock | Perryman | USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG 112) |
EMFA | Jamerious | Pettway | USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG 112) |
MM1 | Roberto | Ramon | USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG 112) |
RS1 | Aaron | Smithpeckham | USS DANIEL INOUYE (DDG 118) |
LS2 | Jade | Teyhen | USS HOPPER (DDG 70) |
EM2 | Neemo | Tran | USS CARL M. LEVIN (DDG 120) |
DC1 | Austin | Williamson | USS FRANK E. PETERSEN JR. (DDG 121) |
Applications Open October 5, 2026 (Monday)
Applications Close October 21, 2026 (Wednesday)
Application
(All sections are required, if not applicable put “N/A”)
Are you stationed in Pearl Harbor, HI? (you must be stationed in Pearl Harbor, HI to apply)
**Required – Endorsement from Chain of Command:
Please have one person in sailor’s CoC send an endorsement email to: KoaKaiAward@billyhurley3.com
Subject Line: BH3F Koa Kai Award – West ICO Sailor’s Name
