Five graduates of the Kauai Fire Department 34th Recruit Class, and two promotions from within the KFD were celebrated on Friday before a throng of family members and friends at the Moikeha Building rotunda.
Of the five graduates, two — Xavier Ikaika Fuerte and Christopher Inman — are the newest members of the Lihue Airport Rescue and Firefighting Unit, and three — Keaka Canute, Kevin Chan, and Makana Weiss — are the newest Kauai Fire Department additions.
Additionally, two members of the Kauai Fire Department were promoted. Firefighter I Makana Denton was promoted to Firefighter II within the Prevention Bureau, and Firefighter III Jeremy Albano was promoted to Fire Captain.
“I want to recognize and thank the families, friends and loved ones who made sacrifices so our recruits and promotees could be here today,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, who had to rush off to congratulate Walmart Lihue on its 30th anniversary after opening in August 1995.
“You have 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 mayor said.
Each of the new firefighters and the promoted fire personnel had their new badges pinned by a family member.
“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 Fire Chief Michael 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.”
Bound for the Lihue Airport Rescue, Fuerte is from Kapaa. Prior to joining the Recruit Class, he was a postman in Kapaa, and also played professional soccer on the Mainland. He expressed gratitude to his wife Hartley and son Knox for their unwavering love and support throughout this journey as well as to his parents, Todd and Denise Fuerte, for always believing in him. His wife did the badge pinning honors.
Also bound for the Lihue Airport Rescue, Inman resides in Kalaheo with his family, and is the owner of Topher’s Go-Fors. He thanked his wife Shianne for her sacrifices, his in-laws for their support, KFD and ARFF for their training, and Jesus Christ for everything. He received his badge from his wife and son Red.
Hanapepe resident Canute brings his experience as a contracted financing at the Pacific Missile Range Facility to KFD. Born and raised in Hanapepe, he thanked his wife Kailani, his parents, extended family and friends, and his brothers in training for their constant encouragement. He also shared his appreciation for the KFD Training Bureau and all the instructors for their guidance and support. Pinning the badge were his wife and their children, Scarlett and Jackson.
KFD recruit Chan grew up in Chicago. Prior to joining KFD, he served as a firefighter paramedic. He thanked his wife, family members, and everyone who has guided and supported him as well as KFD for the opportunity to serve the Kauai community. He received his badge from his wife, Lauren.
KFD recruit Weiss was born and raised in Anahola. Following graduation from Kapaa High School, he joined the Ocean Safety Bureau in Kauai’s northern district before working as a professional photographer. He said he is excited and grateful for the opportunity to once again serve the residents and visitors of Kauai. He extended thanks to KFD, his trainers, and his family and friends for their support throughout the process. He was pinned by his father, Jeff Weiss, and daughter, Nevaeh.
Firefighter III Denton was one of two firefighters receiving promotion. Denton was born and raised on Kauai, growing up in the Omao and Koloa areas. He joined KFD in 2018 and has since served at the Hanapepe, Waimea, and Koloa fire stations over a period of seven years. Denton is currently part of the Prevention Bureau at Fire Headquarters where he works closely with the EMS and Ropes Rescue cadres. He 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. His wife Shaunessy did the honor of pinning his new badge.
Fire Captain Albano was raised in Kilauea and currently lives in Eleele. With 15 years of service to the KFD, he started his career alongside members of Recruit Class 22. He shared his gratitude to Capts. Ballard and Cole, as well as the hardworking firefighters of Station 5 in Kalaheo, and extended a special thank you to Firefighter III Makana Denton for his new uniform. Pinning his new badge was Jeremy’s son, Silas.
Source: The Garden Island