[MplsSteve]

“...Capt. Erik Spitzer, formerly the commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam...”

A captain?

I’d have thought that an officer commanding that kind of installation would have been more higher ranking than a Captain.

[Mount Athos]

Captain is a high rank!

That’s just below admiral.

Same rank as Colonel in the Army.

[ocrp1982]

“A captain?”
How does any adult not know that a Navy Captain rank is not the name equivalent to the same rank in the other services?

[Joe 6-pack]

Most base/installation commanders are O-6's (Navy Captain/Army Colonel). They are responsible for the day to day administration of them post, public works, law enforcement, real property maintenance/management etc. Typically, there will be tenant units that are commanded by people of higher rank.

Their position is roughly analogous to the mayor of a state capitol city where you have a state governor and his cabinet seated, as well as very powerful and influential private sector CEOs. The Mayor has some authority, but is often beholden directly or indirectly to many of his residents.