Two in Maui Fire Department Promoted to Captain

Mark Pokini (left) and Kris Sakamoto (right). Photos courtesy Maui Fire Department.

By Wendy Osher

Two members of the Maui Fire Department are being promoted to the rank of captain.

Mark Pokini, a 23-year-veteran of the department, began his career in 1990 as a Firefighter I on Lana’i, officials said.

Pokini reportedly served as a FF II Rescue Technician, and FF III Apparatus Operator on the rescue company out of Kahului.

Fire officials say he will begin his new promotion at the Hoolehua Fire Station on Molokai on the B-Watch.

Also promoted is Kris Sakamoto, a 12-year-veteran of the department.  Since joining the department in 2001, Sakamoto served assignments in Hana and Kahului, serving as as FF II rescue technician and FF III apparatus operator on Tanker-10, Engine-10 and Rescue-10.

Sakamoto will be assigned as the captain of the department’s Training Bureau.

Fire Chief Jeff Murray said in a media statement, “Both men are well deserving of their promotions and also bring a lot of experience, energy, and competence to their new positions.”

The new promotions take effect April 1.