Kaua’i Fire Department ceremony celebrates new recruits and promotions

Five new firefighters officially joined the Kaua‘i Fire Department and two were promoted during a special ceremony last Friday.

The fire department’s 34th recruit class includes, Xavier Ikaika Fuerte, Christopher Inman, Keaka Canute, Kevin Chan, and Makana Weiss. Two of them are joining the Līhu‘e Airport Rescue and Firefighting Unit and three are recruits of the Kaua‘i Fire Department.

Kaua‘i Fire Chief Michael Gibson offered gratitude to the families and encouragement to the new firefighters.

“We especially want to thank the families and friends, as you have also been present through these past several months, providing patience, support, and encouragement,” said Chief Gibson. “To our newest firefighters, always respect those who came before you, accept their guidance, and continue to push yourself in your growth as both professionals and people. Your journey of learning and development never ends.”

Two members of the Kaua‘i Fire Department were also promoted at this ceremony. Firefighter I Makana Denton was promoted to Firefighter III within the Prevention Bureau. Firefighter III Jeremy Albano was promoted to Fire Captain.

“I want to recognize the families, friends, and loved ones who made sacrifices so our recruits and promotees could be here today,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “You’ve stood beside them during the long nights and the tough days, and because of your support, our community now has five more brave firefighters ready to serve our community.”

The ceremony featured the traditional pinning of badges by family members in front of an audience of loved ones and colleagues

This year’s class included two recruits from the Līhu‘e Airport Rescue and Firefighting Unit and three from the Kaua‘i Fire Department.

Xavier Ikaika Fuerte is a Līhu‘e Airport Rescue recruit from Kapa‘a, where he was working as a postman. He was pinned by his wife, Hartley.

Christopher Inman is also a Līhu‘e Airport Rescue recruit and resides in Kalāheo with his family and is the owner of Topher’s Go-Fors. He was pinned by his wife, Shianne and their son, Red.

Kauaʻi Fire Department recruit Keaka Canute was born and raised in Hanapēpē, and was previously employed with Pacific Missile Range Facility in contracted financing. He was pinned by his wife, Kailani, and his children, Scarlett and Jackson.

Kevin Chan, a Kauaʻi Fire Department recruit, grew up in Chicago, Illinois. Before joining the departmebt, he served as a firefighter paramedic with San Diego Fire Rescue, with a total of nine years in fire service and 13 years as a paramedic. He was pinned by his wife, Lauren.

Kauaʻi Fire Department recruit Makana Weiss was born and raised in Anahola. After graduating from Kapa‘a High School, he joined the Ocean Safety Bureau in Kaua‘i’s northern district before later working as a professional photographer. He was pinned by his father, Jeff Weiss, and daughter, Nevaeh.

Fire Fighter III Makana Denton was born and raised on Kaua‘i, growing up in the ‘Ōma‘o and Kōloa areas. He joined the Kaua‘i Fire Department in 2018 and has since served at the Hanapēpē, Waimea, and Kōloa fire stations, with seven years of service. Now, he is part of the Prevention Bureau at Fire Headquarters, where he works closely with the EMS and Ropes Rescue cadres.

Denton expressed gratitude to his family for their continued support throughout his career, as well as to his past and present crew members for the motivation, lessons, and friendships gained along the way. He was pinned by his wife, Shaunessy.

Fire Captain Jeremy Albano was raised in Kīlauea and now resides in ‘Ele‘ele. With 15 years of service to the Kaua‘i Fire Department, he began his career alongside the members of Recruit Class 22.

Albano shared his gratitude to Captains Ballard and Cole, as well as the hardworking firefighters of Station 5 in Kalāheo, and extended a special thanks to Fire Fighter III Makana Denton for his new uniform. He was pinned by his son, Silas.