11 new firefighters report for duty

LIHU‘E — The graduation of the 31st Recruit Class at the Lihu‘e Civic Center Mo‘ikeha Building rotunda Friday happened as the Kaua‘i Fire Department welcomed 11 new firefighters.

Richard Anacan, Rajan Baliaris-Slavi, Steven Genualdi, Paul Haraguchi, Shea Hardy, Brenden Hew, Malek Hurd, Jake Leake, Marvin Lum, Micah Mokulehua and Aaron Norris make up the class that successfully completed the firefighter training curriculum.

“I am honored as the deputy fire chief to present your son, brother, husband, companion and father as the newest members of the Kaua‘i Fire Department,” said KFD Deputy Chief Michael Gibson, who presided over the graduation ceremonies that featured Mayor Derek Kawakami delivering comments.

“It is a tremendous honor to be a public servant, a first responder, someone who runs toward danger and provides a shield around our community,” said Kawakami.

“On behalf of the Office of the Mayor, the people of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, we want to congratulate the recruits on your pinning today. We want to especially thank your friends and family for their tremendous sacrifice to allow you to serve our island.”

The ceremony continued with the pinning of badges in front of an audience of family and friends, and their new-found firefighter friends.

Born and raised in Kaimuki, O‘ahu, Anacan’s dream of being a firefighter came true Friday after 10 years of being a flight attendance. He lives in Kilauea with his family, is assigned to the Waimea station.

Baliaris-Salvi was born and raised on Kaua‘i, and graduated from Kapa‘a High. He resides in Wailua Houselots. He is 28 years old, and has three children with his wife Katie. Before joining KFD, he was with the state Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Department and worked as an electrician. He is assigned to the Kalaheo station.

Genualdi was born and raised in Morristown, New Jersey, and now lives in Wailua Homesteads. He was previously employed by the Honolulu Fire Department. He is assigned to the Kalaheo station under the command of Capt. Nicholas Pananganan.

Haraguchi was born on Kaua‘i, raised in Hanalei, and now lives in Kilauea. Prior to being hired by the KFD, he grew up working on his family’s taro farm and worked for the Princeville resort. Haraguchi is assigned to the Kalaheo station.

Hardy was born and raised on Kaua‘i and lives in Lihu‘e. Prior to being hired by the KFD, he worked for the County of Kaua‘i Department of Parks &Recreation as a lifeguard. Firefighter Hardy is assigned to the Kalaheo station, under the command of Capt. Micah Mokuahi.

Hew is 33 years old, married, and has six children. He is from the Westside and lives in ‘Ele‘ele. He is assigned to the Koloa station, under the command of Capt. Francisco Garcia.

Hurd was born in San Francisco, and grew up throughout the United States and Hawai‘i. He lives in Kalaheo. Prior to being hired by KFD, he worked on O‘ahu for the City &County of Honolulu EMS department. It has been his lifelong dream to be a firefighter. He is assigned to the Koloa station under the command of Capt. Aaron Hawthorne.

Leake was born and raised in South Jordan, Utah, and graduated from Kaua‘i High School. He lives in Lihu‘e. Prior to joining KFD, he was a full-time bartender and coached fitness and sports. “It is an honor to serve the community of Kaua‘i,” Leake said. He is assigned to the Koloa station under the command of Capt. Ryan Washburn.

Lum was born and raised on Kaua‘i, graduated from Kapa‘a High School, and resides in Wailua. Prior to becoming a recruit, he was a part of the KFD Ocean Safety Bureau for nearly 13 years. He is assigned to the Kapa‘a station under the command of Capt. Gavin Kennelly.

Mokulehua was born and raised in Waimanalo, O‘ahu, and resides in Wailua. He was previously a student at Chaminade University and studied environmental studies and psychology. “He is beyond excited to serve this community of Kaua‘i,” Gibson said. Mokulehua is assigned to the Kapa‘a station under the command of Capt. Ronald Bush.

Norris was born and raised on the North Shore of Kaua‘i and lives in Kapa‘a. He worked as a firefighter on the island of Hawai‘i prior to joining KFD. He is assigned to the Waimea station under the command of Capt. Dan Hirata.

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.