LIHUE — Watched by a group of family, friends and Kauai Fire Department supporters gathered in the chilly morning air at the Moikeha Building, there were four new firefighters and a pair of promotions celebrated.
The Kauai Fire Department and the County of Kauai honored the graduates of the 33rd Recruit Class and promotions from the Kauai Fire Department and Ocean Safety Bureau.
Two of the new firefighters are going to the Barking Sands Fire and Emergency Services, better known as the Pacific Missile Range Facility Fire Department — Barak Aviguetero and Brendan Young — and two are joining the ranks at KFD — Jason Luke and Kaiea Pa.
Braden Iwami, a 10-year veteran with KFD, earned a promotion to Fire Fighter II Rescue Specialist, and Eric Pereza, serving with the Ocean Safety Bureau for 17 years, earned a promotion to Ocean Safety Officer III.
“To all the graduates and those receiving their promotions, I want to congratulate you,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami in a release. “I want to take the time to thank all the family members, and everybody left behind at home, when we send our bravest out into the field to protect this community that we love.”
Aviguetero and Young were trained under a special program with the county that provide the expanded capabilities of training firefighters with the county, Barking Sands Fire and Emergency Services, and the Lihue Airport Crash Fire.
“I am incredibly honored today to celebrate the milestones of our graduating class and promotions,” said Fire Chief Michael Gibson. “The joint training partnership between KFD, the Pacific Missile Range Facility, and Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting has been very beneficial and provides enhanced training to all our island’s firefighters.”
Aviguetero was born and raised on the West Side and is a graduate of Waimea High School. His dad, Elvis Aviguetero, did the pinning honors when Barak received his badge.
Young was born and raised in Lihue and is a graduate of Kauai High School. He received his badge from his wife Cassandra whom Brendan thanked for her love and support during recruit academy.
Luke and Pa are the two latest Kauai Fire Department firefighters.
Luke, born and raised in Honolulu and a graduate of Damien High School, got his badge from wife Wendy Uyesono.
Pa was born and raised in Kilauea and graduated from Kamehameha Schools. He received his badge from his father, KFD Capt. Chauncey Pa, who flashed a big smile of pride.
Iwami was born and raised in Honolulu and graduated from Saint Louis High School. He served for 10 years in the Kauai Fire Department and is an active member of the Fire Ground Survival and Ropes Cadre. He received his Fire Fighter II Rescue Specialist badge from wife Stefani and son Maverick.
Pereza received his Ocean Safety Officer III pin and a lei from his wife Kristina.
Pereza, who lives in Puhi, served in the Ocean Safety Bureau for 17 years after starting in the North District before moving to the East District where he spent most of his career. He gained invaluable knowledge and experience when he had the opportunity to work as a rescue craft operator with the South and West District Roving Patrol Unit.
Pereza has been involved in several community outreach programs, including serving as an instructor for the county’s Junior Lifeguard Program, and Na Kama Kai Ocean Awareness Clinic.
The promoted honorees thanked the Kauai Fire Department instructors and training staff for their support, knowledge and help in their careers.
