PHOTOS: Coast Guard Station Maui Change of Command

By Maui Now Staff

United States Coast Guard Station Maui conducted a Change of Command ceremony at which Chief Warrant Officer Erin M. Stapleton was relieved by Chief Boatswains Mate Ekahi P. Lee.  The ceremony was conducted on Monday, June 8, 2015, at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in Kīhei.

As the new Officer in Charge at the US Coast Guard Station Maui in Māʻalaea, Lee will be tasked with oversight for operations within and around Maui County. The area of responsibility includes waters surrounded by all four islands of Maui County (Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe), including Molokini Crater, which is a popular destination among snorkel and dive tour groups.

With waivers from Sector Honolulu, Station Maui cover areas up to 50 nautical miles from Maui County including the northern shorelines on the “Big Island” of Hawaiʻi.

Crews from the Maui station provide safety, security, and environmental protection for many maritime users, often partnering with the Maui Police and Fire Departments, Ocean Safety lifeguards, NOAA and the Coast Guard Auxiliary for response efforts.

Prior to reporting to Station Maui, Lee served as the Executive Petty Officer at Coast Guard Station Cortez in Bradenton, Fla.

Stapleton has been the Officer In Charge of Coast Guard Station Maui since June 2012 and is leaving to assume the duties as training officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle in Baltimore.

Capt. Shannon Gilreath, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, presided over the ceremony.

***Photos courtesy County of Maui.

United States Coast Guard Station Maui Hawaii Change of Command Ceremony at which Chief Warrant Officer Erin M. Stapleton was relieved by Chief Boatswains Mate Ekahi P. Lee. (6.8.2015) Photo credit: County of Maui.

The New Officer in Charge of U.S. Coast Guard Station Maui Chief Boatswains Mate Ekahi P. Lee speaking during the Change of Command Ceremony. (6.8.2015) Photo credit: County of Maui.

Mayor Alan Arakawa chats with Captain Shannon Gilreath Commander, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu before the start of the Change of Command Ceremony. (6.8.2015) Photo credit: County of Maui.

Remarks by Captain Shannon Gilreath Commander, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu during the Change of Command Ceremony. (6.8.2015) Photo credit: County of Maui.

United States Coast Guard Station Maui Hawaii Change of Command Ceremony at which Chief Warrant Officer Erin M. Stapleton was relieved by Chief Boatswains Mate Ekahi P. Lee. (6.8.2015) Photo credit: County of Maui.

United States Coast Guard Station Maui Hawaii Change of Command Ceremony (6.8.2015) Photo credit: County of Maui.

Remarks by Captain Shannon Gilreath Commander, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu during the Change of Command Ceremony. (6.8.2015) Photo credit: County of Maui.

The New Officer in Charge of U.S. Coast Guard Station Maui Chief Boatswains Mate Ekahi P. Lee speaking during the Change of Command Ceremony. (6.8.2015) Photo credit: County of Maui.