Aloha and Last Alarm

Upcoming

HAWAII COUNTY RETIRED FIRE FIGHTER HIRAM ‘DUNA’ SIMEONA

April 20, 2024
0900 hrs
Kawaihae Surf Park Landing Wall

It is with deep sorrow that we share news of the passing of retired Hawaii County Firefighter Hiram “Duna” Simeona Jr. Services for Firefighter Simeona will be held Saturday, April 20, at 0900 hrs at the Kawaihae Surf Park landing wall. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and former colleagues.

HONOLULU RETIRED FIRE CAPTAIN HENRY KUHNS III

April 27, 2024
Kuhns Private Residence
41-420 Saddle City Road, Waimanalo

The late Captain Kuhns passed away on February 27, 2024. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) on June 1, 1968, and served 32 years 1 month. His last assignment was with Engine 39, 3rd Platoon. Visitation will begin at 1100 hours on April 27, 2024, at the private residence of the late Captain Kuhns, located at 41-420 Saddle City Road. The service will begin at 1200 hours.

The family requested the following services at 41-420 Saddle City Road:

  • 1000 hours – HFD Special Events Vehicle
  • 1130 hours – Assigned Companies
  • 1145 hours – HFD Staff
  • 1200 hours – Pass in Review

Contact FF Mau at [email protected] or 808-723-7164. Refer to SN-24-086. Retirees are encouraged to attend the Pass in Review.

HONOLULU FIRE CAPT. WILLIAM NOTLEY GUNDERSON SR.

William Notley Gunderson Sr., 94, of Waimea, passed peacefully at home on March 10, 2024. He was a retired Fire Captain with the Honolulu Fire Dept., Army Veteran, Avid Hunter & Fisherman. Survived by wife, Yvonne Gunderson, children, Jan Espere, Billy (Ulu) Gunderson, Kiki (Kaiwi) Kihoi, Mike Gunderson, Mana (LiAnn Uyeda) Gunderson. Numerous grandchildren, great- and great-grandchildren. Private services wiil be held as he wished to return to Waikiki, his happy place where he met his wife of 72 years, on a wave. Donations in memory of our Dad would be appreciated at North Hawaii Hospice, 65-1328 Kawaihae Rd. Kamuela, HI 96743.

See, 2024-0412 StarAdvertiser Obituary – William Notley Gunderson Sr.

¦

2024

HONOLULU Fire Captain Richard Soo

The late Captain Soo passed away on January 23, 2024. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) on January 16, 1976, and served 27 years 14 days. His last assignment was with the Administrative Services Bureau.

A service was held on April 1, 2024, at the Mililani Memorial Park-Mauka Chapel. Burial followed at Diamond Head Memorial Park Cemetery located at 529 18th Avenue.

See Obituary

The Hawai’i Fire Fighters Association joins all of our firefighter ʻohana and the community, in mourning the loss of retired Fire Capt. Richard Soo who passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. We also send our prayers and aloha to his beautiful wife, Barbara and his family.

When Richard took on the role as HFDʻs very first Public Information Officer in 1999, he created and built a strong network with the media and the community and always showed firefighters in the most positive light. He was admired, respected, and loved by all, and his impact is still felt today.

He was a 1969 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. Upon retirement, he started the initial fire prep academy in Papakolea.  Although he couldn’t exclusively “target” Hawaiians, his goal was to focus on our native Hawaiian youth, teaching and training them to be able to pass the fire recruit process and allow them an opportunity to make a future for themselves in Hawai’i as a firefighter. The program continues to this day, and since the program started, more than 70 prep academy participants of all backgrounds have gone on to become Hawai’i firefighters – another enduring legacy of Richard Soo.

Brother Soo was also a great HFFA supporter. I could go on and on with more stories of what a wonderful firefighter and human being Richard was, as many have already shared. Please share your stories and tag us. We would love to read them!

Aloha,
Robert H. Lee, President
Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, Local 1463

HONORARY FIRE FIGHTER (FF) REN MIYASAKI

The late FF Miyasaki, son of FF III Roy Miyasaki, passed away on January 16, 2024. A Celebration of Life was held on April 6, 2024 at the Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuar.

Honolulu Retiree FF3 Phillip W. Neal

The late FF Neal passed away on February 13, 2024. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department on June 1, 1970, and served 32 years 2 months. His last assignment was with Engine 41, 3rd Platoon. A memorial service was held on March 24, 2024, at the Brighter Estate in Kamuela, Hawai‘i.

HONOLULU RETIRED FIRE CAPTAIN ALVIN EBISUYA

The late Captain Ebisuya passed away on February 15, 2024. He was appointed to the Honolulu Fire Department on May 1, 1966, and served 28 years 6 months. His last assignment was with Engine 2, 2nd Platoon. A private service was held.

Hawaii County Retired Fire Fighter Lawrence Balberde

Passed away on January 11, 2024. Services were held on February 7, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo. See Obituary