Hawaiʻi County Council honors legacy of Fire Chief Kazuo Todd with passing of two fire safety bills

Fire Chief Kazuo Todd continues to impact Hawaiʻi County’s safety measures despite passing away unexpectedly last month.

On Wednesday morning, the Hawaiʻi County Council passed Bill 108, which allocates $1.75 million in state funding to establish ambulance operations at Makalei Fire Station in Kailua-Kona, which includes six new positions.

The bill allocates $749,000 for salary and wages, $911,000 for equipment and $90,000 for other current expenses.

“This was another one of Chief Todd’s contributions to our community,” County Council Chair Holeka Inaba said. “He submitted testimony to the state to get funding. … Mahalo to him for getting these medics to us in Kona after such a long time.”

To start the first meeting of 2026, the Hawaiʻi County Council honored Todd with a resolution that expressed the council’s profound condolences to his ʻohana, loved ones and colleagues, recognizing his more than two decades of dedicated service to the county and the state.

Todd not only served as fire chief, but also chaired the State Fire Council, where he played a critical role in enhancing fire safety, preparedness and coordination statewide.

During the meeting, the council acknowledged Todd’s steadfast advocacy for firefighters and the emotional weight of leadership. Public testimony from colleagues, family members and council members reiterated the lasting impact of his leadership.

“Chief Todd exemplified public service at its very best. He was an inspiration for doing good in the community,” said Councilmember Heather Kimball, who co-introduced the resolution. “This is a tremendous loss to the county, to fire service statewide. I know how sorely missed he is by his family, but also everyone he worked with in the Fire Department. I know his role will not be filled easily.”

Rachel Able, who testified in writing, spoke about her experience with Todd after her 15-year-old daughter died in a surfing accident at Kohanaiki Beach, also known as Pine Trees in Kailua-Kona.

“I increased ocean safety at Pine Trees, the beach where her accident occurred, so that no other family would have to endure so much pain,” Able wrote. “I was met immediately with compassion, understanding, and a shared belief that our community needed lifeguards stationed there.”

Todd listened to Able and responded by ensuring a permanent lifeguard stand was placed at Pine Trees, with an official blessing in June.

The council also reflected on the heavy burden Todd carried during a recent period of increased fire activity that was fatal and destructive to property.

“Chief Todd led with humility, compassion and an unwavering sense of duty,” Inaba said. “He understood the weight of responsibility that comes with protecting lives, and he carried that responsibility with integrity and care for both the public and the firefighters he served alongside.”

Before his sudden passing last month, Todd helped advance Bill 107, which also passed Wednesday, adopting the State Fire Code as the County Fire Code and adding administrative procedures relating to fire code enforcement, including permits, reviews and inspections.

After responding to four fires within the county in less than two months, Todd recognized it was time to address the deferred maintenance of some aging buildings as they become increasingly unsafe for fire and other emergencies.

The new fire code establishes minimum requirements necessary to ensure a reasonable level of fire and life safety, and property protection from the hazards created by fire, explosion and dangerous conditions.

Both Bill 107 and Bill 108 are separate examples of Todd’s legacy, which extends beyond emergencies and saving lives to the culture of readiness, trust and service he helped build over years of dedication.

To celebrate and honor his life, the public is invited to attend a memorial service hosted by the County of Hawaiʻi at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11.