The Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) honored its top employees today along with HFD employees who achieved 25 and 35 years of service, during a luncheon hosted by The 200 Club at the Prince Waikiki.

Each employee is a dedicated public servant whose hard work and accomplishments helped the HFD deliver or support vital services provided to our community.

“The Department is extremely proud of Battalion Chief Christopher Cabasa, Fire Captains Kory Kaneshiro and Jason Mejia, and Ms. Cecily Naval,” said Fire Chief Sheldon K. Hao. “Besides being dedicated public servants, each of them has shown their commitment to excellence. We also thank The 200 Club for helping us recognize these exceptional employees.”

The HFD’s 2023 Manager of the Year is Battalion Chief Christopher Cabasa, a superb manager who effectively provides personnel management, communications, support, direction, and trust. He has served the Department for 22 years and is currently assigned to the Administrative Services Bureau (ASB) where he is responsible for formulating the HFD’s budget, overseeing the HFD’s procurement, and maintaining current and new HFD facilities and vehicles. He is an innovative leader who has created efficient and effective systems within the ASB. He is also bold and thinks outside-the-box when considering positions, resources, and the organization to achieve positive results.

This year’s Uniformed Employees of the Year are Fire Captains Kory Kaneshiro and Jason Mejia. They each perform their administrative duties diligently, efficiently, and responsibly. Both have about 50 years, collectively, in the Department and are currently assigned to the Waialua and Olomana Fire Stations, respectively, where they have dedicated themselves to serving the citizens and visitors in our communities. Their leadership and participation in various HFD programs, which are essential to maintaining a culture of safety and service, reflect their strong commitment to serve the HFD and the City and County of Honolulu.

The HFD’s 2023 Civilian Employee of the Year is Cecily Naval, one of the longest working employees with 43+ years of government service. Her institutional knowledge and skillset are at the highest level and above reproach. As the Private Secretary to the Fire Chief, her vital multi-tasking abilities are well known within the Department. Besides managing the Fire Chief’s Office by addressing a myriad of daily tasks, she also reviews documents from every HFD division, the Mayor’s Office, state and city departments, the Honolulu Fire Commission, and the public. She handles massive amounts of paperwork on a daily basis, reviews and edits complex documents like the HFD’s strategic plan and accreditation reports, and reviews every HFD procedure and guideline. Her dedication allows the HFD to operate efficiently and effectively.

The Department also recognized its employees who have dedicated 25 and 35 years of their life to public service. The HFD also thanked the family and friends of these employees for the unwavering love and support that helped them reach this career milestone.

The 200 Club was formed in 1968 by local businessmen to aid the families of fire fighters and police officers killed in the line of duty. That practice is still followed; however, The 200 Club also provides funds to the HFD and the Honolulu Police Department toward the recognition of employees’ achievements.