Posted on July 6, 2026
HONOLULU, Hawaii — Lt. Col. Lamar Cantelou became the 75th commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District, during a change of command ceremony July 2 at historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter, Hawaii.
Cantelou, who most recently served as a Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, assumed command from Lt. Col. Adrian Biggerstaff, who commanded the district since July 2024.
“I am deeply humbled to join your ranks,” said Cantelou. “This historic district has served since 1905, and I will give you my best to continue delivering on our commitments in the future.”
During his remarks, Cantelou also thanked his family and friends for their support, noting the sacrifices and challenges they have shared throughout his military journey. He emphasized that military service is a team effort and thanked those closest to him for their patience, encouragement, and continued love.
As commander and district engineer, Cantelou oversees a workforce of more than 320 engineers, scientists, and support professionals serving the Pacific region—an area of responsibility covering approximately 12 million square miles and includes Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Kwajalein.
“The work we do matters immensely,” he said. “The challenges in this theater are complex, and the distances are vast, but our mission is clear. Together, we will continue to deliver innovative, resilient, and enduring projects across PACOM.”
Cantelou holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University, as well as a master’s degree in Operational Studies from the Command and General Staff College. He is a licensed professional engineer in the State of North Carolina.
