A retired veteran with 30 years of service in the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force, Tamah-Lani Noh found her calling soon after joining U.S. Vets Barber’s Point in July of 2024. She was initially hired as the nonprofit’s program director and was promoted to executive director earlier this year.
“It’s been an amazing 23 months; both rewarding and the hardest job I’ve ever had,” Noh told Aloha State Daily. “After I left the military and the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, I still wanted to make a difference.”
Noh previously served as a counterdrug coordinator, where she managed a statewide drug interdiction program, as well as worked under former Gov. David Ige as a homeless community engagement specialist.
Now, her focus has shifted to helping local veterans find housing, jobs, case management and more, by expanding programs — including advancing efforts to prevent and end veteran homelessness across Hawaiʻi — strengthening partnerships and diversifying funding.
Situated in Kalaeloa on O’ahu, U.S. Vets Barber’s Point offers on-site transitional, long-term and permanent housing, in addition to its Veterans in Progress program, where “homeless veterans gain residential stability, increase their skill levels and income,” through employment, per its website. In 2025, its programs provided local veterans 33,654 housing nights, and about the equivalent amount of meals; 5,301 mental health assessments; 110 job placements; and 239 permanent housing options.
“I want us to move in the direction of preventing veteran homelessness,” Noh said, acknowledging that in the most recent Point in Time Count, that figure has decreased over time. “What I’ve noticed is that there are so many people falling into this realm of needing support. But I want to take it one step further because the next [group we serve] are actually standing guard right now, serving our country. And if we don’t prepare them for what life is like after the military, the chances of them falling into homelessness is a lot higher.”
“I think for me, that’s the experience I bring. When I retired, I had no clue about the benefits I was eligible for, and was blessed my husband did. The transition can be a challenge when you go from making money every month to not having anything,” she continued. “I firmly believe we need to start looking at those who are coming off active duty to make sure they are aware of the services available to them long-term. They’ll hear about VA benefits, but we’re not on list, I think because we’re a nonprofit. We want to change that, so transitioning veterans know about all the opportunities available in their communities.”
Long-term, Noh would like to launch a veteran homelessness prevention hub.
At U.S. Vets Barber’s Point, Noh now oversees an annual budget of about $13 million and nearly 100 staff. The branch operates a 24/7 residential site in Honolulu and the state's first kauhale, or a small village of tiny homes.
“Right now, we’re still able to take people in (there’s not a waitlist, and we aim for same day [admissions])," she said, adding, "At U.S. Vets we complement each other." The organization operates also operates HOPTELs in Waipahu, Pearl City and Guam; HOPTEL shelters in Kona and Hilo; and the Kama’okū Kauhale in Kapolei and the Kūlia i Ka Nuʻu Kauhale Wai’anae.
When asked about her approach to recruitment and retention, she said making employees feel appreciated and valued is important. She said she recently gave an employee something they needed off her own desk. Another example was through a partnership with Chick-fil-A Kamokila, which gave each staff member a lunch card to use at their neighboring West Oʻahu location.
“Our staff are so committed and work very hard to serve our clients,” Noh said. “Though less than 20% are veterans themselves, everyone has some connection to a veteran, whether it’s their dad, brother, other family member or friend.”
Connecting with the community is a large part of Noh’s day-to-day.
“That’s about 70% of my day, I call it making new friends,” she said. “We’ve been here since early 2000s and are a pillar in the community, but my job is to still get the word out about what we do.”
Noh said U.S. Vets Barber’s Point has started initiatives via community partnerships to raise awareness and unrestricted funds for its mission, events such as “Camo for a Cause," "Steps for Vets" on June 13, and "No Vets Left Behind" golf tournament in October. Additional information can be found on Instagram, here.
For Noh, work-life balance comes through self-care and spirituality.
“I read my Bible every night and am grounded in my faith. My faith is what drives me,” she told ASD. “I’m here because I’m called to be here. My ʻohana group sisters and community keep me grounded. I've realized I can’t do this by myself.”
Family support is also key. She recalled a specific memory when her 23-year-old daughter was much younger, and said to her, “Mommy put the blueberry away.”
“That’s been my mantra ever since, and I tell that to my staff, too. My 5-year-old daughter at the time asked me to put my Blackberry phone down and to be present. It has governed my life.”
Her advice to other leaders in the community? “Make sure you have your succession plan in place. Providing the training and information staff need to do their job, while equipping and empowering them to learn yours, as well. I’d rather promote from within.”
Darryl Vincent serves as the president and CEO of U.S. Vets National Office; Kim Cook, from Oʻahu, serves as vice president of clinical services for U.S. Vets; and Tanya Brown is the executive director of U.S. Vets Wai‘anae.
Potential partners or people in need can contact U.S. Vets Barberʻs Point at 808-672-2977.
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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
