2025

The late retired FF Aki passed away on February 20, 2025. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) on February 1, 1973, and served 24 years 4 months. His last assignment was with Fire Communication Center/C Shift. Service was held on April 5, 2025, at the Liliʻuokalani Protestant Church.

Retired Kona ARFF Fire Captain Henry “Bozo” Cho Jr.

Honolulu Retired Fire Captain Rodney Yamabe

The late retired Captain Yamabe passed away on January 15, 2025. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) on October 16, 1971, and served 33 years 2 months. His last assignment was with Engine 29/1st Platoon. Service was held on March 4, 2025 at the Yedam Church in Honolulu.

Honolulu Retired Fire Captain Jack Denis

The late retired Captain Denis passed away on January 7, 2025. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) on January 16, 1976, and served 26 years 10 months. His last assignment was with Snorkel 9/2nd Platoon. Service was on February 19, 2025 at Hawaiian Memorial Park Chapel in Kaneohe.

Hawaii County Retired Battalion Chief Raymond “Lana” Rowe, Jr.

Chief Rowe served the Hawaii Fire Department for 29 years until his retirement in 2009. Service was held on Sunday, February 23 with a Pass in Review at Waiakea and past the Central Fire Station on the way to Dodo Mortuary.

Honolulu Retired Fire Captain Jerry Toledo

The late Honolulu Retired Fire Captain Jerry Toledo passed away on December 19, 2024. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department on December 16, 1965, and served 28 years. His last assignment was with Engine 2, 2nd Platoon. A scattering of ashes ceremony followed by a celebration of life service was held on February 15, 2025, at the Wailoa State Park in Hilo, Hawai‘i.

Hawaii County Retired Fire Captain Jeffrey Nathan Kahakua

Fire Captain Kahakua passed away on January 15, 2025.  He served the department for 25 years until his retirement in 2015, with his last assignment being at the North Kohala Fire Station. A Celebration of Life was held at Kahaluʻu Ma Kai (former grounds of Keauhou Beach Hotel and Kona Lagoon, south of Kahaluʻu Beach Park) on Saturday, February 15, at 1030.

Final Salute for Honolulu Fire Fighter I Jeffrey Fiala

The late Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Fire Fighter I Jeffrey Fiala passed away in the line of duty on January 6, 2025, while responding to a three-alarm building fire. FF Fiala was appointed to the HFD on July 10, 2023, and joined the HFD 115th Fire Fighter Recruit Class. His last assignment was with Engine 9, 2nd Platoon.

Jeffrey “Jeff” Fiala, 25, of Honolulu, Hawai‘i was born January 13th, 1999, to Michael and Kristine Fiala, alongside his twin brother, Andrew. Jeff lost his life in the line of duty on January 6th, 2025. As a military family, the Fialas lived all over the world before ultimately settling in Hawai‘i, which was the first place Jeff truly felt at home. A 2017 graduate of Radford High School, he continued his education at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM), where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2021. UHM is also where he met his wife, Fiona, on move-in day of freshman year. They later married on their sixth anniversary in November 2023. Jeff decided to pursue a career with the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) in 2022. He took courses in the Fire & Environmental Emergency Response program at Honolulu Community College until he was accepted into HFD’s 115th Recruit Class in July 2023. Jeff graduated in March 2024 and subsequently entered the field. He was first assigned to Station 38 (Waiau) until he was relocated to Station 9 (Kaka‘ako) in May 2024, which became his second home for the remainder of his service. Jeff was known for his enthusiasm and positive attitude. Aside from his service with HFD, Jeff is remembered for his many hobbies—fishing, skateboarding, diving, surfing, fishing, hiking, backpacking, photography, fishing, and anything else that gave him a reason to be outside—his adventure-ready attitude, his sense of humor, and his fierce devotion to his family and friends. Jeff is survived by his wife, parents, two brothers, and two cats, Dave and Tony.

Kauai Retired Battalion Chief Danny Smith

Danny David Smith, of Kekaha, Hawai‘i, passed away on Dec. 18, 2024, at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital. He was born on July 25, 1943, in Waimea, Kaua‘i. Retired BC Danny Smith joined the Kauai Fire Department in May 1968 and retired December 1999. A Celebration of Life was held on January 20th in Kekaha.

Danny lived a life defined by his dedication, compassion, and love for family and friends. Danny D. Smith served his country with distinction in the Army, achieving the rank of Sargent. He was a member of the 1st Battalion (Reif) 3rd Infantry (The Old Guard) serving as a marching soldier at the Arlington Cemetery. A highlight of his service was his participation as a member of the honor guard in the funeral procession of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, a role he carried out with solemn dignity and pride. Danny worked for the Kaua‘i Fire Department and retired as a Fire Battalion Chief after 31 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ambrose and Yoshie Smith, brother Ray Smith, and daughter Maude Nalani Shigematsu.

He is survived by his wife Carol Smith of Kekaha, son Kawika (Keala Wann) Smith of Kekaha, daughter U‘ilani (Nolan “Aba”) Albarado of Pakala, son-in-law Troy Shigematsu of Eleele, grandchildren Trysen (Kimrah) Shigematsu Cosier, Theron (Melia Takakusagi) Shigematsu, Dylan (Litzy) Balaan, Tevin “Matsu” Shigematsu, Maka Shigematsu, Hali‘a Albarado, Kilinahe Smith, and Kani‘ela Smith.

Honolulu RETIRED FIRE CAPTAIN ROBERT REYLA

The late Captain Reyla passed away on November 21, 2024. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department on August 16, 1961, and served 29 years 11 months. His last assignment was with Engine 22, 1st Platoon. A private service will be held.