Kauaʻi Fire Department celebrated 15 of its own during a May 22 pinning ceremony, honoring them for their years of training, dedicated service and commitment to public safety.
The firefighters and officers advanced in rank across multiple levels within the department, representing the best of those who put in long hours, make sacrifices and continue to serve by helping every day to protect Kauaʻi.
“To each of today’s promotees, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude for your continued service, leadership, and dedication to the people of Kauaʻi,” said Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami in a county release honoring those promoted. “You have answered the call to serve in some of the most demanding and selfless roles in our community.”
Fire Chief Michael Gibson commended the department members receiving promotions for their commitment to the department and the community.
“Today’s promotees reflect the depth of talent, professionalism and aloha within the Kauaʻi Fire Department,” said Gibson in the county release. “Each of them has earned this recognition through hard work, training and a true sense of kuleana to our island. Many have also stepped forward as instructors, mentors and leaders who help train and guide the next generation of firefighters and first responders.”
Distinguished guests at the ceremony included representatives from Office of the Mayor, Kauaʻi County Council members, Kauaʻi County fire commissioners, public safety officials and family members and supporters of those being promoted.
“Public safety is never a one-person effort,” Gibson added. “Behind every firefighter and ocean safety officer is a family that also serves through patience, encouragement and unwavering support. To the families and loved ones of our promotees, mahalo for making these careers and these accomplishments possible.”
Those promoted serve in a wide range of specialized roles throughout the department, including fire suppression, rescue operations, ocean safety, emergency medical response, helicopter rescue, dive operations, hazardous materials response, peer support and communications.
“We are proud of their accomplishments and confident in their continued leadership,” Gibson said.
Kaua’i Fire Department promotions
Firefighter II
Shea Hardy
- Hardy lives in Līhuʻe and served at the Līhuʻe and Kapaʻa Fire Stations, Battalion 3. In addition to operational assignments, he serves in the Emergency Medical Services, Communications, HazMat and Peer Support cadres, and is also a member of the Confined Space Rescue Team. He thanks his family, friends and previous crews for their continued support and guidance throughout this journey. Pinning Hardy was his father Robert Hardy.
Alden Lind
- Lind was born and raised on the eastside of Kauaʻi. He had the privilege of serving multiple stations around the island, including Kalāheo, Waimea, Kapaʻa and Līhuʻe. He is a member of the Rope Rescue Cadre, Marine Response Committee, Geographic Information Systems Committee and SCUBA Team. He extends gratitude to all the crews and leaders who supported, mentored and shaped him along the way. Pinning Lind was his wife Summer.
Justin Watts
- Watts, who was unable to attend the ceremony, is originally from Kailua, Oʻahu, and a graduate of Kalāheo High School. He joined Kauaʻi Fire Department in 2018 and served at Waimea, Hanapēpē and Hanalei stations. Throughout his career, he was actively involved in several specialized teams, including the Emergency Medical Services Cadre, Radio Communications Committee, Jet Ski Team and Rope Rescue Team. He thanks his wife Naomi and daughter Leila for their continued support and looks forward to the next chapter in his career with the department.
Firefighter III
Benjamin Ferris
- Ferris lives in Kīlauea and has served Kauaʻi Fire Department in a variety of assignments, including Kōloa Blue, Kalāheo Blue, Waimea Green and Hanalei Red. He is an active member of the United States Lifesaving Association Cadre, Rescue Craft Work Group and Marine Response Committee. He thanks the crew at Hanalei Red for their motivation and inspiration and his wife Kiana for her unwavering support. Pinning Ferris was his wife.
Pablo Herrera-Mahoney
- Herrera-Mahoney, originally from Oakland, Calif., served Kauaʻi Fire Department for 12 years. He thanks his parents for making this life possible and teaching him the value of hard work and compassion. He is grateful for the mentorship of Capts. Kitamura, Hawthorne, Dizol and many others whose guidance shaped the firefighter he is today. He also acknowledges the brothers of the 25th Recruit Class who began this journey alongside him. He is deeply grateful to his wife Shanti and sons Sol and Makai, who remain his foundation every day. Pinning Herrera-Mahoney was his wife.
Dylan James
- James was born and raised in Kīlauea and now lives on the Southside. He dedicated more than 10 years of service to his community, having served at the Hanapēpē, Hanalei and Kōloa fire stations, most recently as a fire rescue specialist at Kaiakea Fire Station. In addition to his response duties, he serves as a Rescue Watercraft Operator, manages the department’s drone program and is an instructor with the Fire Ground Command Cadre. He extends his gratitude to Jesus, his family and the crews he worked alongside, with special thanks to Dizol for his mentorship. He recognizes his wife Ashley and their sons Makana and Bodhi, who pinned him during the ceremony.
Keola Keahiolalo
- Keahiolalo was born and raised on Oʻahu. He previously served in HazMat and most recently as a rescue specialist. He dedicated his career as an EMS/CPR, Helicopter and USLA instructor, and as a member of the Promotional and Apparatus Committees. He extends his deepest gratitude to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; Hawaiʻi Fire Fighters Association Local 1463; his sister Raedeen; his children Avani, Tevah, Miabella and Aria; and his wife Angela for their unwavering support. Pinning Keahiolalo was his sister Raedeen Keahiolalo.
Irah Nishi
- Nishi was born and raised on Kauaʻi, growing up in Waimea and Līhuʻe before joining Kauaʻi Fire Department in 2010 as a member of Recruit Class 22. In 2021, he was promoted to rescue specialist. He thanks his former crew at Station 3 for their support through challenging times and for helping prepare him for his new role. He extends gratitude to his wife for her unwavering love and support, and to his parents and in-laws for their constant help, home-cooked meals and babysitting support. Pinning Nishi was his wife Kalei and daughters Akira and Ailah.
Shane Pope
- Pope, originally from Southern California, served the Kauaʻi Fire Department for 17 years, including 15 years as a firefighter and 2 years with Rescue 3. He extends appreciation to all the captains and crews he had the privilege of working alongside throughout his career. He thanks his wife Bridget, their children Juliana, Curren and Koi and mother for their love and unwavering support. Pinning Pope was his wife.
Fire captain
John Cornell
- Cornell, originally from San Clemente, Calif., has called Kīlauea home since 1999. His career is rooted in public service, including 18 years as an ocean safety officer, 10 years as a teacher and athletic director and nearly 20 years of service with Kauaʻi Fire Department. During his time with the department, he served as the Community Emergency Response Team coordinator from 2010 to 2019 and contributes as a CPR instructor and leader of the Fire Ground Command Cadre. He thanks his previous captains for their mentorship and members of the department for fostering a culture of professionalism and support. He thanks his wife Heather for her unwavering encouragement, and expresses his love and gratitude to his daughters Nayah and Sophie for the joy and fulfillment they bring to his life. Pinning Cornell was his wife.
Elijah Frank
- Frank resides in Wainiha with his wife Kaleolani and their five children — Keale, Poʻi, Ehu, Aka Boy and their youngest Ealakai. He serves on Kauaʻi Fire Department’s Dive Cadre and is the lead instructor for the Helicopter Cadre. He is grateful to serve alongside the dedicated men and women of Kauaʻi Fire Department who deeply care about the community they serve. He gives special thanks to his wife Kaleo who does the real hard work by supporting him and their family as a fireman’s wife, and to the chief’s administrative staff and Fire 1. He is honored to serve as a captain and the community of Kauaʻi. Pinning Frank is his wife.
Edward “Pono” Pananganan
- Pananganan is from Kapaʻa and served with the world-famous Hanalei Red prior to his promotion to captain. Throughout his career he remained committed to professional growth and service, currently serving on the USLA, Rescue Craft, Extrication, Peer Support and Safety committees and cadres, and previously with Drivers Training EMS. He is grateful for the guidance and mentorship of the many captains and chiefs who helped shape him along the way, especially Pa, Cummings, Abreu, Andrade and Lee, whose professionalism, knowledge and pursuit of excellence continue to inspire him. He thanks his mom, dad and little big brother for their unwavering support, his wife for showing him the meaning of true courage and his children for their endless love and inspiration to become one percent better every day. Pinning Pananganan was his son Kali.
Kalehiamaikalani “Lehia” Pomroy
- Pomroy is originally from Nāwiliwili and serves as the Helicopter program director and a member of the Drone Team for Kauaʻi Fire Department. He extends thanks to his family and past and present coworkers for their continued support and encouragement throughout the years. Pinning Pomroy were his life partner Owana Botelho and Fiona.
Alan Satta
- Satta was born and raised on Kauaʻi and lives in Līhuʻe. He previously served as an operator at the Līhuʻe Station Green Shift and now serves as captain at Kōloa Station on Red Shift. He is honored to be the program director for Fireground Survival and contribute as a member of the SCUBA Dive Team, SCBA Committee, HO CPR and Vent, Enter, Isolate, Search Committee. He also serves as president of the Relief Fund and board member of the Friends of Kauaʻi Fire Department nonprofit organization. He thanks the past and current fire captains and chiefs who took the time to teach, mentor and equip him with the skills necessary to grow within the department and better serve the community. Pinning Satta was his wife Kayli.
Battalion chief
Sean Kitamura
- Kitamura, with 25 years of dedicated service, serves the community at Station 3 in Līhuʻe. He is grateful for the unwavering support of his wife Chesne and sons Cullen and Connor. He extends his appreciation to his fellow captains and firefighters, whose daily sacrifices and steadfast commitment to the island continue to inspire him, and credits his professional growth to the exceptional leadership, guidance and mentorship of the chief’s administrative and command staff. Pinning Kitamura was his wife.
“These promotions represent not only your individual growth, but also the trust your colleagues place in your leadership moving forward,” Kawakami said. “We are proud of each of you and grateful to the families who stand beside you in this work.”
