Posted on: Sunday, March 6, 2005

36 lauded as HFD honors retirees

Advertiser Staff

The Honolulu Fire Department last night recognized 36 people, — a battalion chief, 23 captains, six engineers and six firefighters — at its annual tribute to recent retirees.

Each of the firefighters had at least 25 years on the job with the city and county of Honolulu. Among them was Battalion Chief Clinton Wong, who served nearly 34 years in the fire service; Capt. Henry Pelekai, who served 35 years; and Capt. Glen Solem, who was the department's lead fire investigator.

Each retiree received a plaque with his badge and lapel pin mounted, a framed photo, certificate and a vintage restored fire helmet. They also received a videotape of the evening's ceremony, which was held at Washington Place.

Others recognized were captains Godfrey Akaka, Douglas Ching, Wayne Fernandez, David Hamaishi, Charles Kimak, Edward Oda, Wayne Yasutomi, Kevin Akiona, Simeon Alo, Glen Chung, Mike Chung, Patrick Fukuda, Merill Goodell, Randy Higa, Calvin Kealoha, Anthony Marks, David Mortensen, Glen Sato, Rodney Yamabe, Dennis Yamada and Thomas Yen.

Engineers recognized were Tedmund Cheong, Samuel David, Scott Jacobs, Wayne Kaneiakala, William McClelland and Alan Wong.

Firefighters recognized were Robert Kaikaka, Reuben Kanoho, Albert McGurn, Keith Meyer, Barrington Bloomfield and Ernest Pablo.

"We're going to miss them," said Capt. Kenison Tejada. Every other year, he said, retired firefighters are brought back to the department's training facility "where we show them new changes in technology, let them have some hands-on time with the new equipment, and let them tease us about how hard they had it in their day," Tejada said.

The videotapes included shots of each fireman as he was when he joined the department and just before he retired at the end of 2004.