But those were just dreams, she said, after-effects of the adrenaline rush that pushed her and two others, Roger Long, 65, and Kawika Lam, 25, to run into a blazing house in April to get Louisa Lindow to safety.

Kaku was among 22 private individuals and six firefighters honored by the Honolulu Fire Department with certificates of commendation yesterday for risking their lives to save others.

Lindow, who suffers from severe heart and respiratory problems, was frozen in her kitchen, stopped by shock and concern for her mixed-breed cat, Peter, which died in the blaze. After much coaxing, and a bit of yelling, the rescuers got Lindow to leave.

Chaylin Sabino, 8, examines the commendation given to her father, Troy Carriaga, for helping put out a fire in Pearl City. At left are her mother, Michelle Carriaga, and brother, Rayson Carriaga, 3. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

During yesterday's ceremony at the Fire Department's Charles H. Thurston Training Center, HFD Chief Attilio Leonardi said firefighters "can't do anything until we get to the scene."

"It's an honor for us to recognize people who took that extra step, put themselves in harm's way, for someone else," Leonardi said

Family, friends and politicians filled a room at the training center as the honorees sat quietly

in the crowd. Each recipient, dubbed a "bona fide hero" by Leonardi, wore a lei and looked a little uncomfortable at the prospect of being honored for life-saving moments that most could not explain.

"I honestly couldn't tell you what I was thinking," said Christopher Hower, a Navy man stationed at Pearl Harbor.

Last December, Hower was driving on Lehua Avenue in Pearl City when he saw flames shooting from an apartment. Hower stopped his car in the middle of the street and rushed toward the burning building. He linked up with Fred Cabanting Jr., Fred Cabanting Sr. and Troy Carriaga to squelch the blaze in the unoccupied unit.

All four were honored yesterday.

Firefighter brothers Michael Kuratani, left, and Shawn Kuratani were among recipients of certificates of commendation yesterday from the Honolulu Fire Department. Both awards were for helping victims of traffic accidents. Michael works for the state; Shawn, the city. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

"It was one of those things. Phoom! I did it," he said.

Yesterday's honorees were recognized for an array of heroic actions, from administering CPR to saving families from burning buildings.

They included:

• Ryan, Gregg and Shirley Kawamoto, who on April 3 wakened their next-door neighbors whose house was on fire. The Kawamotos banged on their neighbors' door, then helped the family climb out a window to safety.

• Firefighter Shawn Kuratani, who was driving to work on April 17 when he saw a two-car accident on the side of the road in Kahalu'u. Kuratani pulled over, helped prepare three people for medical evacuation and waited with them until the ambulances arrived.

• Hank Howlett and Clayton Espanto, who were on their boat a mile off Punalu'u on March 20 when they saw nine tourists in kayaks separated from their group by rapidly rising surf. Howlett and Espanto maneuvered their boat carefully to pull the kayakers aboard one by one and take them to safety.

Each of the honorees sheepishly walked to the front of the room after hearing their name, shook hands with Leonardi, and posed for pictures with City Council members. All were visibly grateful, but putting into words what it means to be a hero was difficult.

"I love my neighbor, that's all," Kaku said. "It was a protective instinct, I wasn't going to let anything happen to my neighbor."

Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.