Hawai’i County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd dies unexpectedly Sunday morning at age 45

Editor’s note: This story is updated to reflect comments from leaders in Kaua‘i County following the sudden passing of Hawai‘i County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd.

Hawaiʻi County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd passed away Sunday morning from natural causes at the age of 45, the County of Hawaiʻi announced.

Mayor Kimo Alameda expressed deep sorrow over the death of Todd.

“Chief Todd was a respected leader, a devoted husband and father, and a tireless advocate for public safety,” Alameda said in a statement.

“His commitment to our island and the safety of its people leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to protect and serve us for years to come.”

Todd was appointed Fire Chief in April 2021, after serving the Hawaiʻi Fire Department for more than two decades. Throughout his career, he held a variety of leadership positions, including battalion chief for six years.

He also led efforts in fire prevention and auxiliary services.

His mother, Bobby Jean Leithead Todd, said on her Facebook page that Todd passed away unexpectedly Sunday.

“I don’t have enough words or space to adequately describe how wonderful he was,” Todd’s mother wrote.

“I always told him that he was the best gift God ever gave me. He made me a better person every day.”

Todd was a prominent figure in the state’s firefighting community, chairing the Hawaiʻi State Fire Council and being an active member of the Hawaiʻi Fire Chiefs Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

“Chief Todd was a humble and dedicated public servant who spent his career selflessly serving the people of Hawai‘i County,” said the county’s interim police chief Reed Mahuna in a statement. “He was widely respected for his leadership and professionalism, and equally admired for the kind of person he was, an affable, approachable individual whose warmth and genuine care for others left a lasting impression on all who knew him.”

Mahuna added: “His loss is deeply felt across our first responder ʻohana, and his legacy of service and compassion will not be forgotten.”

The leadership on the Garden Isle expressed their condolences to the Big Island community and Todd’s family over the loss of their fire chief.

“Chief Kazuo Todd dedicated his life to service, leading with humility, professionalism, and a deep commitment to protecting others,” said Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “His impact reached far beyond Hawaiʻi County through his work at the state level and his example of servant leadership. On behalf of the people of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Todd ʻohana and to the men and women of the Hawaiʻi County Fire Department during this time of loss.”

Kauaʻi Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson said Todd was not only a respected Colleague, but a mentor and close friend.

“He led with humility, purpose, and a genuine commitment to the people he served, always putting the well-being of his firefighters and community first,” Gibson stated. “His guidance and example shaped leaders across our state, and his absence will be felt deeply within the fire service for years to come. He will be deeply missed.”

Kauaʻi Police Department Chief Elliott Kalani Ke said Todd led with integrity and earned the respect of those who served alongside him.

“His loss is deeply felt, and we stand with our fire service brothers and sisters across Hawaiʻi as they mourn a leader, colleague, and friend,” Ke stated.