Aloha and Last Alarm
UPCOMING
Honolulu Retired Fire Fighter (FF) III Eben Kalaʻau Jr.
May 3, 2026
Honolulu Elks Lodge 616
1000 Hours
The late FF Kalaʻau Jr. passed away on January 9, 2026. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) on June 1, 1961, and served 27 years 10 months. His last assignment was with Engine 1, 3rd Platoon. Visitation will begin at 0900 hours on May 3, 2026, at the Honolulu Elks Lodge 616, which is located at 2933 Kalākaua Avenue. The service will begin at 1000 hours.
The family requested the following services:
0800 hours – HFD Special Events Vehicle
0930 hours – Assigned Companies
0945 hours – HFD Staff
1000 hours – Pass in Review
Contact FF III Daryl Mau at [email protected] or 808-723-7164 with questions. Refer to SN-26-104.
Honolulu Retiree Abraham Aiona
The family of Honolulu Retiree Abraham Aiona has shared that he passed away on April 8, 2026. More information will be shared when details become available. We send our sincere condolences to the Aiona Ohana.
2026
RETIRED HONOLULU FIRE FIGHTER (FF) III ROBERT CHO
The late FF Cho passed away on March 30, 2026. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department on November 18, 1974, and served 25 years. His last assignment was with Tanker 28, 2nd Platoon. A private service was held.
Retired Hawaii Fire Fighter Wendell David Branco
The Hawaii Fire Department announced the passing of retired Firefighter Wendell David Branco on January 20, 2026. FF Branco served 25 years, from May 18, 1969 to December 30, 1994. His final assignment was at the Waimea Fire Station. Firefighter Branco lived a long life, passing at the age of 83. A service was held on Saturday, February 28 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Kalopa Rd., Honoka’a.
Retired Honolulu FF1 James Higa
The late FF Higa passed away on January 9, 2026. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department on August 16, 1965, and served 25 years 4 months. His last assignment was with Engine 33, 1st Platoon. A private service was held.
Retired Honolulu FF1 Matthew Afong
The late FF Afong passed away on January 30, 2026. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) on April 1, 1969, and served 25 years 1 month. His last assignment was with Engine 8, 3rd Platoon. His burial was held on March 14, 2026, at the Mililani Memorial Park Cemetery.
RETIRED HONOLULU FIRE FIGHTER (FF) II ROBERT HEU
The late FF Heu passed away on December 14, 2025. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department on April 1, 1969, and served 24 years 8 months. His last assignment was with the Fire Communication Center (formerly the Fire Alarm Bureau), D Shift. A private service was held
Retired Honolulu Fire Fighter I Riley Medeiros
The late FF Medeiros passed away on December 9, 2025. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) on May 16, 1969, and served 23 years 1 month. His last assignment was with Engine 12, 3rd Platoon. Services were held on February 20, 2026 at The Cathedral of St. Andrew. Burial followed at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
In Memoriam by Years
