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HAWAI`I FIRE COMMISSION <br /> REGULAR SESSION MINUTES <br /> OCTOBER 23, 2025 <br /> WEST HAWA`I CIVIC CENTER, BUILDING A, COUNCIL CHAMBERS <br /> 74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HWY., KAILUA-KONA, HI <br /> CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL <br /> Chair Kosaki called the meeting to order at 9.00 a.m. <br /> Present: Gerald Kosaki, Chair <br /> Brian Cushnie, Commissioner <br /> Les Hanano, Commissioner <br /> Shon Magsalin, Commissioner <br /> Wesley Mattos, Commissioner <br /> Rick Porter, Commissioner <br /> Absent: Steven Hirakami, Vice Chair <br /> Wayne Perrin Jr., Commissioner <br /> Carlene Wolf, Commissioner <br /> A quorum was present. <br /> Also present: Kazuo Todd, Fire Chief <br /> Daniel Volpe, Deputy Fire Chief <br /> Sinclair Salas-Ferguson, Deputy Corporation Counsel <br /> Charisse Correa, Secretary <br /> PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS <br /> There were none. <br /> APPROVAL OF MINUTES <br /> The minutes for the September 25, 2025, regular session were approved. <br /> CHAIR'S OPENING REMARKS <br /> Chair Kosaki discussed a recent workshop for commission chairs and vice chairs. He <br /> explained that, unlike advisory commissions (such as the Environmental Management <br /> Commission), which only provide recommendations, the Police and Fire Commissions <br /> have authority under the County Charter to hire, fire, and oversee their respective <br /> chiefs. He noted this gives the commission a greater responsibility to hold the <br /> department head accountable and understand departmental operations. He added that <br /> although he has been criticized for questioning the Chief, he believes it is the <br /> commission's duty to do so, as failing to uphold that responsibility could result in liability <br /> for the chair or the commission. <br />