LIHU‘E — No, there was no announcement of an acting chief on Friday during the small gathering of family, relatives and friends of the Kaua‘i Fire Department’s recent promotions.
Instead, KFD Deputy Fire Chief Mike Gibson presented “your son, brother, husband, companion and father as the newest officers of the Kaua‘i Fire Department.”
These promotions happened during the pandemic, but the pinning ceremony was delayed.
“We thank all of you who accepted the challenge to contribute to the future success of the Kaua‘i Fire Department,” said KFD Chief Steven Goble. “Always remember that we set the bar high. We know that you are capable of maintaining the tradition of high standards. Remember who you are, remember what this department stands for, and remember the people who came before you and ensure that you honor them as well.”
Battalion Chief Bryan Doo, a 21-year veteran with the KFD, earned his BC badge, joining the ranks of BCs Jayson Pablo and Ehren Edwards, both 23-year KFD veterans.
Doo, in prepared remarks, said he was very humbled by the opportunity to serve in his new role, and is excited for what the future of the department holds.
“Promotions are benchmarks measuring the culmination of hard work to a point,” said county Managing Director Michael Dahilig,who was standing in for Mayor Derek Kawakami.
“It is a gauge that confirms excellence and growth, exemplifying devotion, improvement and the pursuit of new knowledge. It is recognition that you are not satisfied, and your desire for self-betterment, but more importantly, higher service, is your calling. It is your life quest.”
Capt. Kekoa Dizol, born and raised on Kaua‘i and residing in Koloa with his family, joined KFD in 2005 with recruit class 17. He worked as a firefighter for nine years under various KFD captains, and moved up in rank as a hazmat specialist for three years under Capt. Jim Reid, and as an fire apparatus operator for another three years under Capt. Jeremy Makepa. Dizol was promoted to captain in September and works at the Kalaheo fire station.
Capt. Nicholas Pananganan, a graduate of Kapa‘a High School and Kaua‘i Community College, joined KFD with recruit class 17. Pananganan was promoted to captain in Nov. 2021 following his previous assignment as a firefighter at the Waimea station under Capt. Sean Kitamura.
Firefighter 3 Elijah Frank has been with KFD for 13 years, after he and his wife Kaleo and son Keale moved back to Kaua‘i from O‘ahu. In prepared remarks, Frank said one of the times he is most grateful for was during and after the flood of 2018 when he and his family were able to get through this disaster partly because of the kindness, generosity and hard work of his fellow firefighters and their families.
Firefighter 3 Travis Miyazaki, born and raised on Kaua‘i’s South Shore, joined KFD in Aug. 2015 with recruit class 26. He started his promotional assignment at KFD’s Training Bureau under the command of Capt. Jeremy Cole.
Firefighter 3 Joshua Peralta, born and raised in Kekaha, has been a part of KFD for more than 10 years. He started his promotion as a member of the Training Bureau under Cole.
Firefighter 2 Kawaiho‘ola Curnan, a graduate of St. Louis High School, is the son of Marty and Corinne Curnan. He has been a part of KFD for nine years.
Firefighter 2 Karl Teves was unable to attend the event because of a prior family event.
“We would like to recognize Karl for his achievement, and to accept our apologies for scheduling this ceremony on relatively short notice,” Gibson said. “We would like to recognize the families for enduring the time and sacrifice when they are apart from these men when they are serving our community.”
The KFD has 43 firefighters, 52 lifeguards, eight fire stations and 11 lifeguard towers. It covers more than 622 square miles for 71,000 residents and 29,000 visitors each day.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
