The soldier was killed at about 1 p.m. Iraq time while on patrol. The soldier's name will not be released until next of kin are notified. The death is the first for Hawai'i from the year-long deployment to Iraq that began in January.

Three soldiers were wounded in the blast when an improvised explosive device, or IED, detonated near their vehicle. None of the three is from Hawai'i. They were taken to a coalition forces medical treatment facility.

In a statement, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye said the soldier was a 20-year-old local resident.

"I was saddened when my office was informed that a member of the Hawai'i National Guard assigned to the 29th Brigade Combat Team was killed on Friday near Balad, Iraq. We were also told that his next of kin had been notified," the statement said.

"In Hawai'i, we are ohana, and the death of this 20-year-old local soldier is like a death in each of our own families. While Americans may have different opinions regarding our presence in Iraq, I believe we are all united in support of our troops, who, without hesitation or fear, willingly serve in harm's way.

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to this brave soldier's family, friends, and fellow soldiers who had the privilege of serving with him."

A Honolulu Guard spokesman said the Guard would make no comment until 24 after the family was notified.

Roadside bombs are the No. 1 killer of U.S. troops in Iraq, and the devices have been getting increasingly more sophisticated.

Two soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry out of California, a unit attached to the 29th Brigade, previously were killed in Iraq.

Approximately 3,700 soldiers are part of the brigade, and more than 2,200 are from the Hawai'i Army National Guard and Army Reserve's 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry.

Units are divided between Kuwait, Baghdad and LSA Anaconda, an air base about 50 miles north of Baghdad.

The Iraq duty represents the first time since the 29th Brigade has been sent to war since the Vietnam War.

Approximately 4,000 soldiers were mobilized at Schofield Barracks in 1968-69. Of those, about 1,100 were sent to Vietnam to be inserted into active-duty units.