2026-02-26 Fire Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes February 26, 2026 Page 8 implementing these amendments and responsibility for posting to Ms. Tokihiro and DCC Takamura. There was a discussion regarding the education requirement. Commissioner Wolf expressed concern that mentioning a bachelor's degree in the posting might discourage qualified applicants who do not hold such a degree, and questioned whether the Commission might face criticism if it selected a candidate without a degree over someone who had one. DCC Takamura clarified that the charter does not require a bachelor's degree, but requires a combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to that level. Ms. Tokihiro further explained that, in county practice, equivalent experience is evaluated year-for-year in terms of professional-level work, and the supplemental questions would allow applicants to demonstrate equivalency even without a degree. DCC Wong and Director Tokihiro stressed that omitting the education/experience language from the notice would be inconsistent with the charter and could expose the county to challenge from applicants who later claim they were not given notice of all required qualifications. Commissioner Ignacio moved to accept the changes identified by DCC Takamura, seconded by Commissioner Rabara; all were in favor except Commissioner Wolf, who opposed due to the bachelor's degree requirement language. The motion failed. With clarification that the exact charter language would be used (emphasizing "combination of education and experience substantially equivalent..."), Commissioner Wolf stated she was comfortable adding the requirement, so long as it was clear applicants could qualify by experience. Commissioner Wolf moved to approve the job posting with the proposed amendments and delegated authority to HR and DCC Takamura to implement the changes and post the recruitment. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Rabara, with no further discussion; the motion carried unanimously. The Commission discussed where and how long to publish the Notice of Vacancy, as required by Rule 11. The Commission agreed it was reasonable and efficient to follow the same approach used for the Police Chief recruitment. Commissioner Hanano made a motion to publish the Fire Chief Notice of Vacancy in compliance with Rule 11, at least once per week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in Hawaii, consistent with the Police Chief posting. Commissioner Ignacio seconded the motion.