LIHUE — A firefighter’s greatest act of bravery is actually choosing to become a firefighter, said county Managing Director Michael Dahilig Friday during the graduation of nine Kauai Fire Department firefighters in the 29th recruit class at the Lihue Civic Center Mo‘ikeha Building rotunda.
“Everything else he does after that is all in the line of work,” said Dahilig, representing Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami.
The nine graduates are Kai Adachi, Alden Lind, Christian Marston, Michael Carvalho, Charles Dubocage, Chase Bohn, Jeffery Kakuda, Drew Nakahara and Donovan Silva, and are poised to enter the KFD fire line starting Oct. 1 at the different fire stations around the island following their training that started March 1.
Training Capt. Adam Hussey, Fire Fighter III Ka‘eo Kinoshita, and Fire Fighter III Jeremy Cole were the trainers.
Deputy Fire Chief Kilipaki Vaughan delivered messages on behalf of the graduates.
“Christian would like to say a very big mahalo to his wife Madison, mother-in-law Elyson Perry, and mom Haunani Asing Marston,” Vaughn said. “Without these women loving and caring for his children day in and day out, completing this recruit class would not have been possible.
“Michael would like to acknowledge his parents Billy and Michelle Carvalho as well as his girlfriend Jade and brother Brandon for their continued support and encouragement throughout his recruit training.
“Jeffery would like to send a special thanks to his wife, his two sons, and the rest of his family for the continued support over the course of his recruit training.
“And Drew would like to acknowledge his fiance Angela and family for their love and continued support over the course of his training.”
The recruit class presented a ha‘a composed by Devin Kamealoha Forrest of Hanalei-Haena.
“Everything else he does after that is all in the line of work,” said Dahilig, representing Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami.
When will KFD have a female on the line? Is there something in your hiring practices that forbids this? Do you ever have women who take the test?
Would be interesting to hear if women take the test but get overlooked b/c of their gender.
Was interesting until I seen the video…dumb.
Roll my eyes, RUKM? Perhaps these new recruits while on duty cruising, will take the time to educate what is a haka or invest themselves and those around them, to the new reality. Due diligence research will lead you to Truth and Integrity that most hawaii populace, u.s. citizens do not want to hear or believe. Soon our own recruits will be switching it up across the board. A lot of changes have already occurred, much more is comin-round the corner, when she comes!
Agreed. Silly video for a “professional” occupation. This is our public funds at work. Nice representation of our community, Mayor Kawakami.
Pathetic boys club is all it is.
We dropped off an injured bird at the Kapaa fire station one day & was treated pretty rudely by the person who took the bird. Now it all makes sense.