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C O U NT Y O F KAU A‘I
BERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.
Mayor
WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Managing Director
KAUA‘I FIRE DEPARTMENT
News Release
For Immediate Release: June 30, 2017
ROBERT WESTERMAN, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-4980
Fax (808) 241-6508
Kaua‘i Fire Department holds special ceremony
LĪHU‘E – Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. and Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman held a
special pinning-on ceremony Friday, June 23, to promote two ocean safety officers and five
firefighters at the Līhu‘e Civic Center’s Mo‘ikeha courtyard.
“To be a first responder it takes courage, commitment and a will to put others before
yourself,” stated Fire Chief Robert Westerman. “These gentlemen go above and beyond in
demonstrating these qualities, and I look forward to seeing them succeed in their well-deserved
new roles within our department.”
David Duncan was promoted to Ocean Safety Officer III, District Lieutenant, and will now
monitor the operations of the Ocean Safety Bureau’s (OSB) southwest district. Raised in O‘ahu
and a resident of Kaua‘i since 1982, Duncan has been a water and ocean safety responder and
educator with the county for 26 years. He currently teaches “Learn to Swim” programs,
community water safety courses, lifeguard certifications, career days at Kauai’s schools, and
has been a co-instructor with the Keiki Junior Lifeguard Program. He was pinned by his wife,
Hualani, and daughter, Makana.
Kaleo-okalani Lopez was promoted to Ocean Safety Officer IV. He was born and raised
on Kaua‘i and joined the department in 2007. Lopez expressed his love and gratitude to his
family and friends. He recognized the Kaua‘i Fire Department (KFD) and OSB, and commended
his fellow staff members for their continued dedication to saving lives. Lopez was pinned by his
wife, Jackie, and their two sons, KiaKaha and Kahīkoloa.
John Cornell was promoted to Fire Fighter II, Hazmat, and is now based at the Kaiākea
Fire Station. A resident of Kīlauea, Cornell has been with KFD for 11 years. His additional duties
include assisting the department as the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
coordinator, and as the secretary for the KFD Relief Fund. Cornell expressed his love and
appreciation to his daughters, Nayah and Sophie, and his wife, Heather, who had the honor of
presenting him with his promotional badge.
Derek Tsunehiro was promoted to Fire Fighter II, Hazmat, and is now stationed at the
Kaiākea Fire Station. A life-long resident of Kaua‘i, Tsunehiro currently lives in Wailua. During
his 10-year tenure with KFD, Tsunehiro has been part of the department’s CIP committee and
assists with the county’s 50-year building plan committee. Tsunehiro thanked his wife, Gladys,
his parents, and the Kapa‘a 2nd Battalion crew. He received his promotional badge from his wife,
Gladys.
Kaimalino Andrade was promoted to Fire Fighter II, Rescue. Andrade was raised in
Pila‘a, and currently resides in Kekaha with his wife, Cherith, and daughters, Kauluwehi and
Anne. He joined the department in 2006, and is now based at the Lihu‘e station. Andrade
thanked his wife and daughters for their love and support, and also acknowledged the
upstanding members of the fire department that came before him. He received his promotional
badge from his wife, Cherith.
Roger Mills Jr. was promoted to Fire Fighter III and is now assigned to the Kalāheo Fire
Station. Mills is an 11-year veteran of the department, and assists as a trainer-instructor for
Peer Fitness, Fire Ground Operations, Driver Training, Tactical Ventilation and the Burn Trailer.
He extended his gratitude to his family and friends for their support, and all of KFD’s chiefs,
captains and firefighters who supported him throughout his career. Mills received his
promotional badge from his son, Colton.
Shawn Thompson was promoted to Fire Captain and is now assigned to the Hanalei Fire
Station on the 3rd Battalion. Originally from O‘ahu, he relocated to Kaua‘i in 1989 and currently
resides in Kalāheo. Thompson is the department’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team
leader and assists other KFD members as needed. He thanked his wife, Gayle, their children,
Shayla, Vaughn and Noah, his parents, extended family and the entire department for
supporting him throughout his rewarding career.
“On behalf of the County of Kaua‘i, I am proud to honor these gentlemen for their
accomplishments and outstanding service to our entire community,” said Mayor Carvalho. “It
truly takes a special person to risk your life for another, and I want to take this opportunity to say
mahalo to you and your ‘ohana for the sacrifices you make every day to keep our residents and
visitors safe.”
From left to right: Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman, Ocean Safety Officer III David Duncan, Ocean
Safety Officer IV Kaleo-okalani Lopez, Fire Fighter II Hazmat John Cornell, Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho
Jr., Fire Fighter II Hazmat Derek Tsunehiro, Fire Fighter II Rescue Kaimalino Andrade, Fire Fighter III
Roger Mills Jr., Fire Captain Shawn Thompson, Battalion Chief Shawn Hosaka, and Deputy Fire Chief
Kilipaki Vaughan.
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