LIHU‘E — With the Kaiakea Fire Station nearing completion, eight new firefighters joined the roster of the Kaua‘i Fire Department Monday. Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman welcomed the new additions to the family of Kaua‘i firefighters. He noted that in
LIHU‘E — With the Kaiakea Fire Station nearing completion, eight new firefighters joined the roster of the Kaua‘i Fire Department Monday.
Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman welcomed the new additions to the family of Kaua‘i firefighters. He noted that in the days preceding the graduation of the 22nd recruit class, the men in the department’s traditional Polish The Badge program did some commendable deeds.
In one case, he said the troops hiked into Queen’s Bath in Princeville where someone thought having a golf cart at the rocky shoreline was a good idea.
“The good thing was it never made it to the ocean; it was probably afraid of the waves and the water,” Chauncey Pa, the KFD training captain, wrote in an e-mail to the Mayor’s Office.
Residents asked for it to be removed and the recruits, with the help of the Red crew at Station 1, Nick Lum and Cathy Agoot of the county’s abandoned vehicle department, set out on the task last week.
The recruits disassembled the cart and hiked it back out where it could be properly disposed of at Abe’s Auto Recycling Center in Puhi on Aug 2.
In another instance, the men went into Kipukai to conduct a beach cleanup, Westerman said, the deed being done because the recruits often train in the ranch’s “front yard.”
Pa said the recruit class on Friday had an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the area in the event of an emergency and clean the beach of rubbish at the same time.
With the unveiling of a new badge and look scheduled to coincide with the blessing of the Kaiakea Fire Station, Westerman was joined by Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Assistant Kaua‘i Fire Chief John Blaylock in presenting the eight new firefighters in their “duty uniforms.”
Introducing KFD’s
22nd recruit class
Mathew Ballard grew up in Northwest Montana and Eastern Washington and is married to Kaua‘i native Jennifer Soriano. Ballard brings experience of serving two tours of duty in Iraq as a medic with the Army National Guard and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management from Central Washington University. They also have a 2-month old son, Wyatt.
Russell Fujimoto, frequently seen at basketball games where he serves on the coaching staff for Kaua‘i High School, was born and raised in Pasedena, Calif., but spent much of his summers and Winter breaks on Kaua‘i visiting family.
The son of Gilbert and Judy Fujimoto played basketball for St. Francis High School before moving here two years ago.
Jeremy Albano, a Kapa‘a High School graduate, has worked as a lifeguard and EMT prior to becoming a fireman. He brings a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management with him and feels blessed to be part of the Kaua‘i Fire Department where his father Duane is also a firefighter.
Jacob Minei, a strong soccer player during his days at Kaua‘i High School, said he is honored to work for the Kaua‘i Fire Department and looks forward to serving the people of Kaua‘i.
The son of soccer coaches Richard and Lynn Minei enjoys playing and coaching soccer, surfing and watching movies during his spare time.
Ashley Nagaoka came home from Washington, D.C. to present the badge to brother Ryan Nagaoka who resides in Kapa‘a and is the son of Mark and Lynne Nagaoka.
Ryan graduated from Kaua‘i High School in 2006 and earned his Associates of Arts degree in Fire Science from Southwestern Oregon Community College. He s also a state certified EMT-Basic after earning that degree from Kapi‘olani Community College.
Robert and Paula Nishi had the honor of presenting the badge to their son, Irah who graduated from Kaua‘i High School and attended Southern Oregon University.
Justin Shinn has lived on Kaua‘i for the past 20 years, graduating from Kapa‘a High School and continuing to study Nursing at the Kaua‘i Community College. He completed the Kapi‘olani Community College EMS program and is a state certified EMT.
Christopher Young drew quizzical looks from Westerman when the chief found out Young, a graduate of Kaua‘i High School, holds a commercial pilot’s license after graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Young, the son of Jed and Judi Young, was flying cargo inter-island and throwing bags for Hawaiian Airlines before joining the Kaua‘i Fire Department.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
