HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR092719KauaiFireDepartmentholdsgraduationceremonyfor29thRecruitClassTHE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
mqa MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
C os
News Release
For Immediate Release: September 27, 2019
KAUA`I FIRE DEPARTMENT
KILIPAKI VAUGHAN, DEPUTY CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-4980
Fax (808) 241-6508
Kauai Fire Department holds graduation ceremony for 29' Recruit Class
LIHU'E — The Kauai Fire Department held a special ceremony Friday, welcoming nine
new firefighters at the Lihu`e Civic Center's Mo'ikeha courtyard.
Kai Adachi, Alden Lind, Christian Marston, Michael Carvalho, Charles Dubocage, Chase
Bohn, Jeffery Kakuda, Drew Nakahara, and Donovan Silva comprise KFD's 29t" Recruit Class.
"These nine gentlemen began their career on March 1, 2019, and endured seven
months of accelerated training," said Kauai Fire Deputy Chief Kilipaki Vaughan. "Today, these
gentlemen of the 29' Recruit Class will receive silver badges and begin their new journey as a
Kauai firefighter. May you each continue to strive for the summit of excellence in your kuleana
as a public servant, with honor to each other in the fire service, and to the Kauai community you
so proudly serve with loyalty."
Friday's ceremony began with an Honor Guard detail and a transfer of command.
Deputy Vaughan led attendees in the Kauai firefighters prayer, then called upon Managing
Director Michael Dahilig who addressed the crowd on behalf of Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami.
"It has been said that a firefighter's greatest act of bravery is actually choosing to
become a firefighter, and everything else done after that is all in the line of work," said Dahilig.
"On behalf of Mayor Kawakami and our entire administration, thank you. Thank you for choosing
the path of public service."
The ceremony continued with the ceremonial pinning of badges followed by the recruits
taking the firefighters oath in front of an audience of their family and friends. It concluded with a
special Ha`a performance by the 29t" Recruit Class.
Kai Adachi was born and raised on Kauai and currently resides in Puhi. He is a
graduate of Kauai High School. Adachi thanks his family and friends for their support and
encouragement throughout the recruit class training. He also thanks the Kauai Fire Department,
the Training Bureau staff, and training instructors for the opportunity to serve the community.
Adachi will be assigned to the Kalaheo fire station.
Alden Lind was born on Kauai and currently resides in Wailua. He is a graduate of
Kauai High School. Lind thanks his girlfriend Summer, family, and friends, along with the
Training Bureau staff and the KFD personnel. Lind will be assigned to the Kalaheo fire station.
Christian Marston was born in Uhu`e and raised on the North Shore of Kauai. He is a
graduate of Kapa`a High School and currently resides in Kapahi. He thanks his wife Madison
Perry, children Dylan -lux and Manoa Banx, mother-in-law Elyson Perry, and mom Haunani
Asing Marston for their love and support during the recruit class training. He also thanks the
KFD Training Bureau staff, and all those who had a hand in preparing him and his peers to
serve the County of Kauai. Marston will be assigned to the Hanapepe fire station.
Michael Carvalho was born and raised on Kauai and currently resides in Wailua
Homesteads. He is a graduate of Elite Element Academy. Carvalho acknowledges his parents
Billy and Michelle Carvalho, his girlfriend Jade, and brother Brandon for their continued support
and encouragement throughout his recruit class training. He also thanks the KFD Training
Bureau staff and all instructors. Carvalho will be assigned to the Hanapepe fire station.
Charles Dubocage currently lives in Wailua, and thanks his family for their support
during his recruit class training. He acknowledges and thanks his parents, the Kauai Fire
Department, the Training Bureau staff, and training cadres for their support and help during the
recruit class training. Dubocage will be assigned to the Kalaheo fire station.
Chase Bohn graduated from Kauai High School and currently resides in Kekaha. He
acknowledges his girlfriend Coral Knapp, sons Taj and Rex, and his parents Charles and
Giesele Bohn. He thanks the Kauai Fire Department, the Training Bureau staff, and all KFD
personnel involved in training the 29th Recruit Class. Bohn will be assigned to the Waimea fire
station.
Jeffery Kakuda was born and raised on Kauai and currently residents in Hanapepe. He
graduated from Waimea High School. Kakuda thanks his wife, two sons, and family for their
continued support over the course of his recruit training. He also acknowledges the KFD
Training Bureau Staff and instructors for their guidance throughout the recruit class training.
Kakuda will be assigned to the Waimea fire station.
Drew Nakahara was born and raised in Kilauea and currently resides in Wailua. He is a
graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama. Nakahara thanks his fiance Angela Mones, and
his family for their love and support over the course of his training. He also thanks the KFD
Training Bureau staff as well as the instructors that influenced him throughout the process.
Nakahara will be assigned to the Hanapepe fire station.
Donovan Silva was born and raised in Hau`ula, Oahu, and current resides in Kekaha.
He is a graduate of Kahuku High and Intermediate School. Silva would like to thank his wife
Gabrielle Silva, son Nohili, parents Julia and Donald Silva, and in-laws Cindy and Kaili Driver for
their loving support. He also thanks the Kauai Fire Department, the Training Bureau staff, and
all trainers for their support and help during the recruit class training. Silva will be assigned to
the Waimea fire station.
Front row, from left to right: Kai Adachi, Christian Marston, Alden
Lind, Drew Nakahara, and Donovan Silva. Back row, from left to
right: Michael Carvalho, Charles Dubocage, Chase Bohn, and Jeffery
Kakuda.
Left: KFD's 29th Recruit Class takes the
firefighters oath at Friday's graduation ceremony.
Right: Shown is Charles Dubocage
Receiving his silver badge pin from his two
daughters at Friday's ceremony.
Above: KFD's 291h Recruit Class perform the Ha`a at Friday's ceremony.
Above: KFD's 29th Recruit Class are greeted by family and friends at the
conclusion of Friday's graduation ceremony.