HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMENDATION CEREMONY

Certificates of Commendation Awarded to Good Samaritans

The Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) held a Commendation Ceremony today at the Mission Memorial Auditorium to honor a police officer, a United States Coast Guard (USCG) officer, civilians, and fire fighters for their extraordinary bravery and selflessness.

The Honorable Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Managing Director Michael Formby, Chief of Staff Andy Sugg and members of the Honolulu City Council and the Honolulu Fire Commission joined Fire Chief Sheldon K. Hao to recognize and thank the honorees for their empathy and willingness to disregard danger to help someone in need.

The HFD awards a Medal of Valor to individuals whose quick actions included saving a life. A Certificate of Commendation is presented to those who put themselves in harm’s way to perform exceptional acts of service or bravery.

“We are grateful to the amazing individuals being honored today because each one did not hesitate to do the right thing,” said Chief Hao. “These everyday heroes did not hesitate during adversity, and their selfless acts are an inspiration to us all.”

The following is a summary of events for which the 2025 recipients were acknowledged and received an HFD Gold Medal of Valor, HFD Civilian Medal of Valor or an HFD Certificate of Commendation:

On July 14, 2017, Fire Fighter (FF) III Alan Oliveira recognized a team of fire fighters were in distress and initiated the rescue response to recover them at the Marco Polo high-rise fire. In the intense heat with near zero visibility and significant second-degree burns, FF Oliveira recovered the fire fighters then continued fighting the blaze for six hours to extinguish one of the largest high-rise fires in the history of the City and County of Honolulu.

His vigilance and expeditious actions are exemplary and played a vital role in this life-threating situation and exemplified the HFD’s motto of Pride Service Dedication. FF Oliveira was honored with the HFD Gold Medal of Valor that was received today on his behalf by HFD Fire Investigator Eddy Song who credits FF Oliveira for saving his life.

On February 29, 2024, Mrs. Kimberly Ann Limasa witnessed a couple in distress at the Koʻ Olina Hawaiʻi’s Kohola Lagoon and immediately swam to assist the couple. The female was struggling to keep the male afloat. Clearly exhausted, the female lost her grip of the male just prior to Mrs. Limasa’s arrival.

Mrs. Limasa dove four feet in the water, recovered the male, and swam approximately 50 feet to the shoreline while monitoring the female. Hotel employees assisted Mrs. Limasa in bringing the couple out of the water and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR on the male. Through their combined efforts, the male started breathing on his own and was monitored until first responders arrived. A Civilian Medal of Valor was presented to Mrs. Limasa for her quick life-saving actions.

On June 8, 2024, Mr. Vance Verano and his daughter, Ms. Jersey Verano, smelled smoke and investigated abutting or nearby properties. They soon discovered the contents in their neighbor’s garage was on fire and quickly deployed a garden hose from their property and extinguished the fire. Mr. and Ms. Verano were each awarded a Certificate of Commendation.

On August 24, 2024, Ms. Kelsey Maloney and Ms. Lauren Van Heukelem, two employees of the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology on Coconut Island, ferried two HFD personnel to an overturned sailboat on the reef. Their assistance was significant in the successful rescue operation. The HFD awarded Msses. Maloney and Van Heukelem each with a Certificate of Commendation.

On January 9, 2024, Honolulu Police Officer Jason Sarabia responded to a call involving a male who was bleeding profusely. Officer Sarabia applied a tourniquet and direct pressure prior to the HFD’s arrival. This lifesaving act reduced the further loss of blood and increased the odds for survival for this victim. Officer Sarabia was awarded a Certificate of Commendation.

On April 26, 2024, USCG Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joseph Tenorio went above and beyond in assisting the HFD with a boat fire investigation. He interviewed multiple witnesses and provided technical expertise in watercraft construction, design, and function and played a significant role in the successful determination of the incident’s origin and cause.

On the second day of the fire investigation, Chief Warrant Officer Tenorio detected the presence of benzene in the vessel’s engine room, which resulted in the immediate evacuation of the HFD personnel. His quick action and attention to details prevented a possible catastrophe that could have resulted in death and severe injury to HFD Fire Investigators. The HFD awarded a Certificate of Commendation to Chief Warrant Officer Tenorio.

On May 31, 2024, Maui County Department of Fire & Public Safety’s FF Kapena Kalehuawehe-Gomes was off duty and enjoying the Lanikuhonua Beach with his family when a child became unresponsive in the water. Witnessing the child’s mother pulling her son out of the water, FF Kalehuawehe-Gomes immediately began CPR. He did four rounds of compressions prior to the arrival of emergency services. The HFD presented FF Kalehuawehe-Gomes with a Certificate of Commendation for saving the child’s life.

On January 1, 2025, HFD Fire Captain Ryan Chong was the initial Incident Commander at a New Year’s mass casualty fireworks incident. First to arrive at the incident with an extraordinary level of casualties, damage, and infrastructure disruption, Captain Chong exemplified leadership and poise and took command and immediate control of the scene that included multicompany responses from other first responder agencies.

Congratulations to all of our honorees. The HFD appreciates them all for being brave, compassionate, and willing to help another. They are proof that heroes live among us and come from all walks of life.