5-1 Vote: Daniel Volpe Named Big Island’s New Fire Chief

Hawaii County Fire Commission Appoints Daniel Volpe as New Fire Chief

Daniel Volpe will take charge of the fire department for Hawaii Island, the largest island in the United States by area, after winning a 5-1 vote from the Hawaii County Fire Commission. The commission selected the deputy chief on Thursday during a meeting at the Hilo Lagoon Centre to permanently fill the role left vacant after former Chief Kazuo Todd died unexpectedly from an aneurysm at age 45 on Dec. 14.

Volpe scored 347 points out of a possible 420 on a grading scale that evaluated interviews, written assessments, and professionalism. HFD Battalion Chief Melanie Keolanui finished second with 341 points, while retired HFD captain Garrett Kim placed third with 295 points. Three other candidates faced elimination after the tabulation, including HFD battalion chief Stacy Domingo, former Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District battalion chief Cole Thompson, and retired Ventura County Fire Department captain Michael Fine.

Daniel Volpe Scores Highest to Become Chief

• Daniel Volpe: 347 points (Promoted to Chief)
• Melanie Keolanui: 341 points (Finalist)
• Garrett Kim: 295 points (Finalist)

Chairman Gerald Kosaki, Vice Chairman Les Hanano, and members Brian Cushnie, Derwin Ignacio, and Rollin Rabara cast the five votes for Volpe. Commissioner Carlene Wolf voted for Keolanui. Kosaki noted that Volpe shouldered the responsibilities of both chief and deputy chief during his 10 months as temporary chief because he could not hire a new deputy while reporting directly to the commission.

“I knew you were doing a hard job, and I didn’t take into account how much work you have to do, but I still was holding you accountable,” Kosaki told Volpe after the vote.

Leadership Through Recent Crises

During his 10 months leading the department on an interim basis, Volpe managed emergency responses to several tropical cyclones that struck Ka‘u and handled wildfires across the arid leeward side of the island. A wet El Nino season has since driven the growth of tropical grasses that serve as heavy fuel loads for upcoming dry season fires.

The 48-year-old Volpe brings 21 years of experience with the Hawaii Fire Department and holds a 2000 degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “I’m in awe at the moment,” Volpe said after the selection. “I’m very excited to continue the progress we’ve made over the past 10 months and to make sure the community knows the fire department will respond when called, day in and day out.”

Volpe Leads Department with 382 Sworn Personnel

Volpe assumes command of a department with 382 sworn personnel, 120 volunteers, and an operating budget exceeding $80 million. The agency provides emergency services across more than 4,000 square miles.

Mayor Kimo Alameda praised the commission for an open hiring process that drew more than 30 initial applications to the county, narrowing down to eight candidates meeting minimum qualifications and residency rules before six participated in the interviews.

Volpe’s formal appointment is tentatively scheduled for the commission’s Nov. 12 meeting, pending a pre-employment medical exam, drug screening, and a valid driver’s license. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he steps into an annual salary of $208,836 following a raise on July 1. County Salary Commission raises will further increase the chief’s pay to $217,200 on July 1, 2027, and $225,888 on July 1, 2028.