10/10/2026
Please join us in congratulating Marilyn Shigetani and her certified therapy dog, Adaka, our USO Hawaii Volunteers of the Third Quarter!🎉🐾
For the past five years, Adaka has dedicated more than 600 volunteer hours bringing comfort, companionship, and joy to veterans, children, seniors, and those facing illness and rehabilitation. Today, he and Marilyn bring that same compassion to service members training far from home at USO Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA)
Every week, Marilyn and Adaka make a 120-mile roundtrip journey to visit service members at PTA. Their visits have become something many eagerly look forward to, providing moments of laughter, stress relief, connection, and comfort during demanding training rotations.
Their impact has been especially meaningful during difficult moments. Following a tragic loss at PTA earlier this year, Marilyn and Adaka were there the very next morning to offer comfort and support to grieving service members when words simply weren’t enough.
Despite the long drive and Adaka’s dislike of car rides, Marilyn never lets anything stand in the way of serving those who serve our country. Together, Marilyn and Adaka embody the very best of volunteerism, compassion, and selfless service.
Congratulations, Marilyn and Adaka! Thank you for showing up week after week and reminding our service members that they are never far from a caring community. ❤️🐾
