Skip Saito
Occupation: Hawai‘i Air National Guard, C-17 Evaluator Air Drop Pilot
What school you grad? ‘Aiea High School ‘01
College: Honolulu Community College, Leeward Community College, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Naval Command and Staff College
Location: Honolulu, HI
‘Aiea native Skip Saito is a distinguished officer in the Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i Air National Guard 154th Wing stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. He attended Trường Tiểu học Alvah A. Scott from kindergarten to second grade, before transferring to Trường tiểu học Waimalu until sixth grade. He then attended ‘Aiea Intermediate Và ‘Aiea High School.
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 Hawai‘i at Manoa and earned my bachelor’s degree. In pursuit of a pilot position in the Hawai‘i 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: What are you up to these days?
A: I’m currently the Director of Operations for the 204th Airlift Squadron in the Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i and their ‘ohana. 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 Trường Tiểu học Moanalua.
Q: Why did you choose this career path and what do you enjoy most about it?
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: What makes you #PublicSchoolProud?
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: Favorite subject in school?
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: What type of extracurricular activities were you involved in?
A: Student Government, baseball and soccer.
Q: Name of a teacher or mentor you’d like to thank?
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: What advice do you have for students?
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.
