Hawaiʻi Fire Department chief candidates announced
Hawaiʻi County Fire Commission announces six candidates vying to become the next Hawaiʻi Fire Department chief as well as meetings for in-person open session interviews of each candidate and for commissioners to make their decision.
Fire chief candidates and their current position/status — listed alphabetically by last name — are:
- Stacy Domingo: Hawaiʻi Fire Department Emergency Communications battalion chief.
- Michael Fine: Retired Ventura County, Calif., Fire Department fire captain.
- Melanie Keolanui: Hawaiʻi Fire Department Operations battalion chief.
- Garrett Kim: Hawaiʻi Fire Department retired fire captain.
- Cole Thompson: Former Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Fire Protection District battalion chief.
- Daniel Volpe: Hawaiʻi Fire Department temporary fire chief.
Candidates interviews are scheduled Sept. 24 in Hawai‘i County Council chambers, located at 25 Aupuni St. Suite 1401, in Hilo. They could continue Sept. 25 if additional time is necessary.
Each chief candidate also will complete a written assessment prior to their interviews. Scores from the interview and written assessment will be considered as part of the Hawaiʻi County Fire Commission selection process.
Commissioners will first identify 3 finalists and then select a new chief from that smaller group during a meeting Sept. 25, also in council chambers.
Each meeting begins at 9 a.m. and will be viewable via livestream on YouTube.
Community members can provide in-person testimony by attending the meetings. Remote testimony also will be accepted via Zoom at the following links:
Sept. 24
Sept. 25
View the Sept. 24 and 25 meeting agendas for additional information.
