A New Home for the Watch: MCBH Opens Modernized K-9 Kennel Facility
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII – Marine Corps Base Hawaii and naval facilities leadership gathered in front of the new kennel facility to celebrate its grand opening on MCBH, Sept. 23, 2026.
To honor the land before the ceremony, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Makuakane, sang an ‘oli which is a sacred chant performed without musical accompaniment to honor the land, ancestors, and spiritual connections. Shortly after the ‘oli, the celebratory remarks highlighted what the new facility provides: 14 kennel spaces, a specialized food preparation room, spacious outdoor and indoor areas for storage, training and veterinary care, as well as overhead pressure washers to support facility cleanliness.
“Our working dogs are not pieces of equipment; they are Marines,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Stephen DeTrinis, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Base Hawaii. “They stand the watch, absorb risk, and execute demanding missions alongside their human partners. They deserve an installation that supports their health and longevity in return.”
Marine Corps military working dogs support law enforcement and installation security through a variety of mission sets and capabilities, such as explosives and narcotics detection, locating missing people, and identifying threats. Along with their handlers, military working dogs train regularly to maintain these capabilities and be ready to respond when needed. Their capacity supports homeland defense in INDOPACOM and the protection of people and infrastructure. This kennel’s construction demonstrates MCBH’s dedication to the mission of the military working dogs and their handlers.
“The modernization directly supports readiness by giving our teams a better environment to care for the dogs, maintain equipment, conduct training, and prepare for missions,” said MCBH’s Provost Marshal’s Office (PMO) kennel master, U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. James Davis III. “It helps keep our teams healthy, trained, and ready to respond.”
Prior to this grand opening, MCBH’s K-9 section operated out of an aging facility that had become limited in supporting the needs of the dogs, their handlers and the mission. Throughout the rebuilding process, the K-9 section continued normal operations. Handlers continued training, caring for the dogs and ensuring they were mission-ready despite the challenge of working with a facility nearing the end of its lifecycle. The new facility was built from the ground up and took approximately two years from start to finish.
“This new Kennel is a part of a century long tradition of military working dogs that have been America’s silent sentinels standing right beside our war fighters since World War I,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Andrew Hunt, executive officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Hawaii, referring to Sergeant Stubby, a bull terrier mix who is widely considered the first U.S. military working dog, although his service was unofficial.
Military working dogs on the island of O’ahu is a long standing tradition. The new MCBH kennel honors that legacy by supporting the canines. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, American dog breeders, trainers, and owners believed dogs could perform useful military duties leading to the creation of ‘Dogs for Defense.’ Their goal was to mobilize American pet owners to donate healthy, capable dogs to support the military's home-front security. In 1942, the U.S. Army officially established War Dog Program also known as the K-9 Corps, which developed into the military working dog program we know today.
DeTrinis spoke at the podium, “May this facility stand as a sanctuary of health for our working dogs, an engine of readiness for our handlers, and a lasting shield of security for Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Mahalo, Semper Fidelis, and let us untie the lei.”
Makuakane took the Ti Leak and dipped it into the Koa wood bowl, blessing the lei with water as a symbol of a new beginning and prosperity. DeTrinis, NAVFAC representatives and civilian contactors untied the lei to close out the ceremony and marked a new beginning.
For more information please visit: https://www.mcbhawaii.marines.mil/
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