David Thyne, a member of the Maui Fire Department's first-ever recruit class in 1987, has been promoted to the rank of battalion chief and assigned to the Kahului Fire Station, it was announced today by the county's Department of Fire and Public Safety.

The promotion was effective Aug. 1.

Thyne, 42, is a 21-year Maui Fire Department veteran who served as captain at the Paia Fire Station before his promotion.

Maui Fire Chief Jeffrey Murray said Thyne's "forward-thinking approach and strong ethics have earned him this promotion, and his desire to make a difference has always been a positive force in the department."

Thyne is the son of Dale and Karen (Masuda) Thyne, and graduated in 1984 from Northland Pines High School in Eagle River, Wis.