The Maui News

WAILUKU — The County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety and their Fire Chief, Brad Ventura, announced the promotions of nine personnel on Thursday, according to a press release.

Oliver Vass, Troy Tendo, and Kahiwa McVey have been promoted to the rank of Fire Captain. Vass served as a Lieutenant prior to the promotion. Tendo and McVey held the rank of Fire Fighter III prior to their respective promotions.

Captain Oliver Vaas is a 17-year veteran of the Department and has been in the Fire Prevention Bureau since his promotion to Lieutenant in 2017. Vaas had been a Fire Fighter assigned to the Kihei and Wailea stations. With the promotion, Vaas will remain in the Fire Prevention Bureau. Captain Vaas, his wife Chelsea, and his daughter currently call Wailuku home.

Captain Troy Tendo has been with the Department since 2007, and most recently was assigned to the Paia Fire Station. Trendo had also worked in Kula, Kihei, Makawao, Napili, and Lanai. With this promotion, Trendo will move to the Puko’o Fire Station on Molokai. A 1998 graduate of St Anthony and a 2004 graduate of UH Manoa, Captain Tendo, his wife Christine Newsom, and his son currently live in Kula.

Captain Kahiwa McVey is a 17-year veteran of the Department, his most recent assignment was at the Kaunakakai Fire Station. McVey had previously worked at the Lanai, Puko’o, and Kahului Fire Stations. With his promotion, McVey will return to the Puko’o station. A 2000 graduate of Konawaena High School, Captain McVey resides in U’alapue with his spouse Kuilani and their child.

Fire Fighters Keola Nakoa, Kai Evermore, Brent Barbero, Tyler Orikasa, Reyford Stone, and Thomas Heen have been promoted to Fire Fighter III.

Fire Fighter III Keola Nakoa has been with the Department since 2011, most recently working in Kahului on Hazmat 10. Nakoa has also worked in Kaunakakai and Paia. With his promotion, he will move to the Training Bureau. Nakoa is a 2004 graduate of King Kekaulike High School and a 2008 graduate of UH Manoa. Nakoa, his spouse Alisha Yoshitsugu, and their two children reside in Makawao.

Fire Fighter III Kai Evermore is a 12-year veteran of the Department, most recently stationed in Paia. He has also worked in Lahaina, and with his promotion will move to the Health and Safety Bureau. Evermore is a 2005 graduate of Baldwin High School and a 2007 graduate of Johnson and Wales University. Evermore, his wife Fawn, and their two children live in Wailuku.

Fire Fighter III Brent Barbero has been with the Department since 2016, most recently working at the Kahului Fire Station. Barbero has also worked in Kaunakakai, Hana, and Makawao. With his promotion, he will move to the Health and Safety Bureau. Barbero is a 2006 graduate of St Anthony and a 2011 graduate of UH Manoa. He resides in Pukalani.

Fire Fighter III Tyler Orikasa is an 8-year veteran of the Department, most recently working at the Kahului Fire Station on Hazmat 10. He has also worked in Lahaina and Wailuku. With his promotion, Orikasa will move to the Training Bureau. Orikasa is a 1997 graduate of Maui High School and a 2001 graduate of the University of Puget Sound. Fire Fighter III Orikasa, his wife Emi, and their two children live in Kahului.

Fire Fighter III Reyford Stone has been with the Department since 2016, most recently assigned to Ho’olehua Fire Station. He had previously worked in Kaunakakai and Puko’o on Molokai. With his promotion, he will continue to work at Ho’olehua Fire Station. Stone is a 2001 graduate of Molokai High School and a 2018 graduate of Honolulu Community College. Stone, his wife, and their child live in Kaunakakai.

Fire Fighter III Thomas Heen is a seven-year veteran of the Department, most recently assigned to Ho’olehua Fire Station. With his promotion, he will move to the Kaunakakai Fire Station. Heen is a 2011 graduate of Kamehameha Schools. Heen, his spouse Ale’a Davis, and their child live in Kaunakakai.