By Po‘okela Hanson
NaHHA is proud to share an article from one of our Lamakū Hoʻokipa who exemplify the value of mālama and are making meaningful impact as contributing members of the Native Hawaiian community.
“I Ka Wā Ma Mua,
I Ka Wā Ma Hope”
January 11 marks the 175th anniversary of the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD). Established by King Kamehameha III, HFD was the first fire department west of the Mississippi River and the first founded by a ruling monarch. Its creation reflected the deep sense of kuleana our aliʻi had to protect the people, the ʻāina, and the future of Hawaiʻi.
For more than seven generations, the HFD has been grounded in Hawaiian leadership and values. Members of the aliʻi class did not stand apart from the work, they immersed themselves in it.
King David Kalākaua proudly served with Engine Company No. 4. Prince Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa, “Ka Haku o Hawaiʻi,” was named an honorary member. HFD has continuously perpetuated leadership in action, reflecting the significant role of fire service within the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Since its founding, HFD has evolved from hand-pulled carts and bucket brigades to advanced rescue teams and specialized response units. Beyond emergencies, firefighters serve in the community as mentors, teachers, and community partners strengthening community resilience across Oʻahu.
As a second-generation firefighter with the HFD, I am proud to be part of this legacy. I grew up watching my father and his fellow firefighters dedicate themselves to this work as a calling. Their lessons taught me that being a firefighter isn’t just about putting out flames, it’s about actively supporting and advocating for your community, being dependable, and caring for others with aloha.
Those same values of ʻauamo kuleana, hoʻihoʻi hou, and laulima guide us today. Through emergency response, prevention, and outreach, we honor our responsibility to protect people, place, and future generations.
When we visit schools and mentor youth, we perpetuate the spirit of the department and pass on the discipline, teamwork, and service that defines our profession. Through our prevention and outreach efforts, the next generation learns not just how to serve, but why we serve.
As the HFD looks ahead to the next seven generations of service, the foundation remains the same: courage rooted in compassion and service grounded in aloha ʻāina. The 175th anniversary is more than a celebration of history, it is a living reminder that we are part of a lineage of protectors bound by kuleana, inspired by aloha, and dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of our lāhui.
Poʻokela Hanson is a 17-year firefighter and currently serves as fire captain at Waipahu, Station 12. He is involved in the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Explorer Program, supporting youth development and career pathways, and serves on Ka Manai Ahonui, HFD’s cultural advisory group. For more information about HFD’s 175th Anniversary and related events, follow HFD on Instagram or go to fire.honolulu.gov.
