LIHUE — This has been a big year for Jayson Pablo, said his mother Pat Pablo, Wednesday at the Moikeha Building. “He’s being promoted to fire captain,” Pat said. “Earlier this year, he had his baby, too.” Pablo was promoted
LIHUE — This has been a big year for Jayson Pablo, said his mother Pat Pablo, Wednesday at the Moikeha Building.
“He’s being promoted to fire captain,” Pat said. “Earlier this year, he had his baby, too.”
Pablo was promoted to fire captain, Nicholas Hill, Gavin Kennelly, Justin Shinn, and Dane Smith received Firefighter II badges, and Byron Kaina Kealoha Costa received his dedication as a Firefighter II (Rescue) from his sons Shiloh, Levi and Christian during a short ceremony at the Moikeha Building.
Pablo, a 17-year veteran with the Kauai Fire Department, was born, raised, and lives on Kauai’s Westside. He is an instructor in all facets of fireground operations as well as a cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructor who teaches the life-saving skill to thousands of people throughout the island.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of Kauai,” Jayson said.
Hill, a graduate of Kilauea Elementary and Kapaa High School, went on to Oregon State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science. He returned home and joined the fire department in 2007.
“I am thankful to have this fulfilling profession,” Hill said. “It is a privilege to be able to work with the members of the Kauai Fire Department and serve our grateful community.”
He is married to Heidi and has a two-year-old daughter, Kenzie.
Kennelly, another Kapaa High School graduate, started working with the Kauai Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau in 2001 at the age of 19. He was initially a summer hire who transitioned to become a full-time water safety officer.
He became a firefighter at age 22, and said he is grateful for receiving the promotion. He received his pin from his mother, Caverly Elizabeth Kennelly.
Shinn, a Kapaa High School graduate in 1993, and was last assigned to the Hanapepe Fire Station, 1st Battalion, before getting his promotion. He works part-time for the American Medical Response as an EMT for the past seven years, and for Kapiolani Community College as a skills tester/adjunct instructor.
Shinn, whose dad Gerald is also a retired firefighter, started his firefighting career at the Pacific Missile Range Facility Fire Department and spent three years there.
Shinn, married to Shy Ann and with four children — Dasan 20, Kaimana 11, Lexie 9, and Dakota, 2 months — will be assigned to the training bureau as the EMS FFIII.
Smith is a five-year veteran with the Kauai Fire Department, his most recent assignment being a rescue specialist at the Lihue Fire Station. Born and raised on Kauai’s North Shore, Smith resides there with his wife Angela and three children.
Costa was born and raised in Wailua, Kauai. He attended and graduated from the Kamehameha Schools, Kapalama Campus in 1996, continuing his education at the University of Washington.
He accepted his dedication as a Firefighter II, Fire Rescue Specialist, from his three sons.
