Skip Saito
ʻOihana: Hawaiʻi Air National Guard, C-17 Evaluator Air Drop Pilot
I ke kula hea ʻoe i puka ai? ʻAiea High School ‘01
Kulanui: Honolulu Community College, Leeward Community College, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Naval Command and Staff College
Wahi: Honolulu, HI
ʻAiea native Skip Saito is a distinguished officer in the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard with over 24 years of dedicated military service. Throughout his career, he has flown countless missions, been deployed in combat zones all around the world and rose through the ranks to become one of the key operational leaders within his unit. Saito currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel and the Director of Operations for the 204th Airlift Squadron, a unit of the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard 154th Wing stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. He attended Alvah A. Scott Elementary from kindergarten to second grade, before transferring to Waimalu Elementary until sixth grade. He then attended ʻAiea Intermediate a Ke kula kiʻekiʻe ʻo ʻAiea.
Q: Briefly describe your journey after high school.
A: I started my military career right after graduation. I went to Air Force Basic Military Training and started as a part-time C-130 engine mechanic. I also enrolled in Honolulu Community College’s aviation program for a semester and received my private pilot’s license. Later, I transferred to Leeward Community College and continued my undergraduate pre-requisites before transferring over to the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa and earned my bachelor’s degree. In pursuit of a pilot position in the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard, I became a C-17 Loadmaster after college, which ultimately led to being selected as a pilot candidate. The rest is history…it’s been 24 wonderful years and I wouldn’t change any of it.
Q: He aha kāu hana i kēia mau lā?
A: I’m currently the Director of Operations for the 204th Airlift Squadron in the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard. I love being able to mentor the younger generation in hopes of inspiring them to be part of something greater and to also serve in an organization that protects the State of Hawaiʻi and their ʻohana. I am happily married to my wife, Sarah, for 10 years and we have two crazy, but awesome boys, Nixon and Kysen, who both attend Kula Haʻahaʻa o Moanalua.
Q: No ke aha ʻoe i koho ai i kēia ala ʻoihana a he aha kāu e hauʻoli nui ai e pili ana i ia mea?
A: Going on sports trips or mini vacations was always the highlight of my childhood. I was always so intrigued and excited to get on the airplane and feel the rush of the takeoffs and landings. Becoming a pilot was a goal, but one that I knew would take lots of time and effort to achieve. Because of the length of schooling and the difficulty of training, it made achieving this goal so enjoyable. The thing I love the most about this profession is that I get to travel all over the world with a purpose. I also love to teach the next generation of military aviators and to inspire them to be awesome leaders.
Q: He aha ka mea e hoʻohanohano ai iā ʻoe?
A: I am #PublicSchoolsProud because I was shaped by diversity, resilience and community. Public schools taught me to thrive with what’s available, embrace people from every background and turn challenges into opportunities. The lessons I carry aren’t just academic; they’re life skills that keep me grounded and driven. I also love it when you ask someone from Hawai‘i, “What school you went?” the response is always their high school alma mater!
Q: Ke kumuhana punahele ma ke kula?
A: Math. I loved solving complex problems that have a single solution…very rewarding when you get it right!
Q: Favorite school lunch or breakfast?
A: The saimin always hit the spot.
Q: He aha ke ʻano o nā hana extracurricular āu i komo ai?
A: Student Government, baseball and soccer.
Q: Inoa o ke kumu a i ʻole ka mea aʻoaʻo āu e makemake ai e mahalo?
A: Ms. Nakano (Mrs. Fu) was my mentor during high school. She was my student government teacher from sophomore to senior year and we spent so much time together working on ways to make the Class of 2001 the best. She instilled the value of leadership and set the foundation for me to grow as a military leader.
Q: He aha kāu ʻōlelo aʻoaʻo no nā haumāna?
A: Enjoy school, play sports, join clubs, make new friends every year, and thank your parents. You will remember your high school years and make lifelong memories.
