KAPA‘A — The first new fire station built on Kaua‘i in 66 years received its blessing and dedication four months ahead of schedule, Wednesday. Kaiakea fire station, the Kaua‘i Fire Department’s eighth fire house, features a host of sustainable and
KAPA‘A — The first new fire station built on Kaua‘i in 66 years received its blessing and dedication four months ahead of schedule, Wednesday.
Kaiakea fire station, the Kaua‘i Fire Department’s eighth fire house, features a host of sustainable and environmentally friendly features and marks a milestone for the KFD, fire officials said.
Long-time residents will recall the Koloa fire station moving from Annie S. Knudsen Park to a site on Po‘ipu Road after Hurricane ‘Iniki destroyed the old Koloa fire station in 1992, but the Kaiakea station is the first brand-new fire house in a brand new location in 66 years.
John Blalock, KFD deputy chief, represented Chief Robert Westerman by doing a celebratory whoop to open the dedication, noting that the construction phase of the station took 370 days, or 150 days ahead of the scheduled February 2011 completion date.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said the new station features efficient lighting and air conditioning as well as solar water heater. A grant enabled the county to have a photovoltaic system installed to further enable the station to become sustainable.
Carvalho said the station features a washer and dryer system which will reduce possible carcinogens and other harmful debris from remaining on firefighters’ uniforms and gear after they respond to incidents.
Westerman said the fan network in the bay areas will pull smoke and carcinogens from diesel engines to further minimize risks to firefighters.
Kaiakea fire station is also the first fire station to feature separate facilities for men and women.
The fire truck was obtained through a federal Community Block Development Grant through the county’s Housing Agency, and has a 1,500-gallon capacity, more than the combined trucks of the five stations that existed on Kaua‘i in 1940, Westerman said.
Crews that will man Kaiakea fire station were funded through another federal grant authored by Kilapaki Vaughn, and brings the number of personnel in the fire department to 138 firefighters and six staff members, the station becoming the eighth fire station on Kaua‘i.
Bill “Kaipo” Asing, County Council chair, said the fire station is welcomed because of the population growth in the Kapa‘a area. It is located along Kuhio Highway mauka of Kealia Beach Park and adjacent to the St. Catherine Cemetery.
With the stationing of a hazardous-materials-response vehicle at the station, Kaiakea will be servicing the Kapa‘a, Kealia and Anahola areas as its primary responsibility.
Responsibility for establishment of the new station goes to KFD retirees and the late Mayor Bryan Baptiste, who started discussions for the new station seven or eight years ago, Westerman said.
In addition to the new station, Westerman said firefighters debuted a new department patch designed by Jeremy Makepa, and new station gear that will not melt on their skin if heat is applied.
Jay Manzano, vice president of Kaua‘i operations for Unlimited Construction Services, said the objective of the fire-station construction was to try and keep as many Kaua‘i workers employed as possible.
Kaua‘i-based subcontractors and vendors for the project were considered first before making final decisions, thereby helping keep Kaua‘i people employed during tight economic times, said Manzano.
These included Ali‘i Landscaping, whose crews were laying out irrigation lines and making final plantings as guests arrived for the blessing; Beachside Roofing, Diamond Plumbing, Dorvin D. Leis, Glover Honsador, Island Home Building Materials, Island Truss, Ka‘iwa Construction, Lewis & Mann, M&H Painting, Mr. T’s Pest Control, Pacific Building Materials, Raynor Overhead Doors, South Pacific Steel, ST&H, Taufatofua Masonry, TG Electric, Welch Marble & Tile, and Window Trends.
The Rev. Ipo Kahaunaele-Ferreira offered the blessing.
