On every green-and-black patch worn by a member of the 5th Bomb Wing, a skull sits at the center, golden wings extend outward, and beneath it appears a familiar phrase: “Kiai o ka Lewa.” Though this Hawaiian phrase is often seen as simply part of an emblem, the motto carries more than just decoration. It represents a long lineage of service, identity, and mission that stretches back over a century.
“Kiai o ka Lewa” has been the official motto of the 5th Bomb Wing since its early years. The phrase translates to “Guardians of the Upper Realm,” a Hawaiian expression that was highly respected by Hawaiian warriors and frequently used as a battle cry.
Photo courtesy of David Patte/USFWS.
The motto itself is rooted in Hawaiian tradition. According to legend, Kiwaha and Halulu were guardians of the realm. Historian Samual Kamakau described the pair as mythical birds made of water from the orb of the sun. In their physical form, they appear as giant ‘iwa birds, with Halulu often described as a protector of the skies.
Its history began with the 2nd Observation Group, which was first activated at Luke Field on Ford Island in the Territory of Hawaii in 1919. Two years later, the group was redesignated as the 5th Observation Group, and later became the 5th Pursuit and Bombardment Group, flying the De Havilland DH-4 aircraft. During World War II, the 5th Bomb Group flew more than 1,000 combat missions. Its members earned more than 13,300 medals and decorations, including two Distinguished Unit Citations and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
On July 25, 1968, the 5th Bomb Wing relocated to Minot Air Force Base and began operating the B-52H Stratofortress in order to preserve the unit from being inactivated after budget cuts planned to terminate the Wing at Travis AFB, California. Since moving the group to North Dakota, generations of Airmen have continued the mission while carrying forward the motto, “Kiai o ka Lewa.”
The emblem itself dates back to the beginning of the unit as well. The green and black fields reflect the colors of the Army Air Service at the time the 5th Bomb Wing was activated. The vertical line dividing the shield symbolizes the clouds in the sky and their mission in the upper realm. At the center, the winged skull represents the function of the bombardment.
“Kiai o ka Lewa” reflects the spirit of this legend. Just as Kiwaha and Halulu were believed to guard the upper realm, generations of Airmen have carried forward the responsibility of protecting the skies. More than a century after the Wing’s beginning in Hawaii, the motto continues to symbolize the heritage, mission, and legacy of the 5th Bomb Wing.
5th Bomb Wing. (2021, November 9). Minot Air Force Base. www.minot.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/264218/5th-bomb-wing-minot-air-force-base
Manalo-Camp, A. (2022, August 1). The Storied Places of Lāna’i. Ka Wai Ola. kawaiola.news/moomeheu/the-storied-places-of-lanai/
