The Hawai‘i County Fire Commission selected Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Volpe on Thursday as the island’s new fire chief on Thursday. He succeeds the late Chief Kuzuo Todd, who died unexpectedly in December. 

Six candidates were interviewed over five hours on Wednesday. Four of the candidates were current and former members of the Hawaiʻi Fire Department and two candidates were from departments on the mainland who had recently moved to the island. 

Volpe, who stepped in as interim chief in January, has served in the department for over 20 years as a firefighter, fire medical specialist, battalion chief and deputy chief. As interim chief, Volpe led the department through two hurricanes and several large wildland fires this year.

“My projects are still going, my desk, my whiteboard is full,” Volpe told Civil Beat, “and I just want to be able to go back and continue working for this department that’s given me everything.”

Volpe, who’s expected to officially take office Nov. 12, will oversee a more than $80 million budget and a department responsible for protecting 4,000 square miles of land and shoreline. Next year’s fire season could be particularly bad as dry parts of the island exploded with invasive grasses during the wet El Niño season, providing ample fire fuel.

Todd was a champion for fire prevention and managed to increase the department’s funding $30 million by leveraging state, federal and outside sources during his four years as chief.

Fire officials and advocates said his vision for a state prepared to stop most wildfires before they start will endure. Commission Chair Gerald Kosaki told Civil Beat in January that Todd had led the department in the right direction and hoped the next chief would continue his work.  

Volpe learned a lot during his decades working with and for Todd, he said, and will take what he’s learned with him as he steps into the role as chief.

“One thing I learned specifically from him is that the badge is purpose,” Volpe said. “He always put the mission in front of himself.”

Volpe wants to continue dedicating positions for fire prevention and focusing on reducing fire loads in wildlands like Waikōloa. 

Delayed By Storms

Kosaki had hoped to finish the selection process within six months of Todd’s death. They were on track to select a new chief within that timeframe but hurricanes Lala and Nolo forced the commission to cancel meetings, which pushed the selection process back. 

“I wanted to expedite the process as quickly as possible,” Kosaki said. “But, you know, things happen.”

The county received over 30 applications for the position. The Department of Human Services whittled that down to eight candidates. Two dropped out before interviews took place, Kosaki said. 

Each commissioner scored the prospective fire chiefs on a scale of 70 points based on a written assessment, their interview and their professionalism. The commission then chose from the top three scoring candidates. 

Volpe received 347 points, Melanie Keolanui received 341 points and Garrett Kim received 295 points. Five commissioners voted for Volpe, with one, Carlene Wolf, voting for Keolanui.

Commissioners praised Volpe’s work over the last 10 months as interim chief and said they were confident as they selected him.

“I see him doing a good job,” Commissioner Derwin Ignacio said.