HONOLULU — U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command held a change of command ceremony on Coast Guard Base Honolulu June 18, 2025.
Capt. Nicholas Worst relieved Capt. Aja Kirksey as commanding officer of Sector Honolulu during the ceremony, which was presided over by Capt. Alan McCabe, chief of staff of the Fourteenth Coast Guard District.
"Serving with this team has been the greatest honor of my career,” said Kirksey. “I have witnessed firsthand the unwavering dedication, ingenuity, and aloha spirit of the men and women of this command. Sector Honolulu has consistently risen to every challenge with courage and compassion. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together, and I leave knowing that Sector Honolulu is in capable hands, ready to continue protecting our people, our environment, and our way of life."
Kirksey retired from the Coast Guard following the change of command, marking 24 years of distinguished service.
Worst reported aboard after serving as the first ever Coast Guard liaison to U.S. Space Command at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, where he played a pivotal role in integrating national security operations across the two organizations. His notable previous assignments include response department head at Sector Honolulu and military aide to the deputy national incident commander for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
“Returning to Hawaii and Sector Honolulu fills me with aloha and purpose,” said Worst. “I am passionate about the value the Coast Guard brings to both Hawaii locally, and to the United States at large from a nationally strategic and homeland security perspective. I am honored to carry on the incredible work of Capt. Kirksey and serve alongside the dedicated crew at Sector Honolulu. I look forward to working in close collaboration with federal, state, local, and industry partners to ensure the safety, security and prosperity of our ʻāina.”
The change of command ceremony marks a transfer of total responsibility and authority from one individual to another. It is a time-honored tradition, conducted before the assembled crew, honored guests and dignitaries, to formally demonstrate the continuity of authority within a command.
Sector Honolulu is composed of over 400 active duty, reserve and civilian personnel, one marine safety unit, three marine safety teams, three multi-mission small boat stations, one aids to navigation team, and three fast response cutters in an area of responsibility encompassing over 1.4 million square nautical miles of ocean.
-USCG-