Smoke Alarm Maui Program Reaches Installation Goal of 500

IBEW Sean Watanabe, Dorothy Kinores, IBEW Ray Shimabuku, Capt. Paul Haake. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

The Smoke Alarm Maui program hit its goal of providing free installation of 500 alarms to residents on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

The final installation of four smoke alarms at a home in Kahului, was completed on Oct. 28, for resident Chrisanta Cabrera.

Cabrera’s daughter, Frances Nelson commended the department and agencies who made the program possible saying, “This program is such a blessing… My mom’s house was long overdue to have those installed. Thank you for giving our family peace of mind.”

In all, 500 alarms were installed in 115 homes, including 84 installations on Maui, 27 on Molokaʻi, 4 on Lānaʻi.

From Left Ray Shimabuku of the IBEW Insp. Darrin Almeida Lt. Kono Davis Awardee Kazuko Takiguchi and Jeb Kuneshiro with the IBEW. Courtesy photo.

The program was made possible through a $10,000 award by the Assistance to Fire Fighters Public Education Grant; and was facilitated by personnel with the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety and members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

The alarms were purchased through Lowes in Kahului, with the first installation completed on Jan. 12, 2013, at the home of Rufina Peralta in Waikapū, where she lives with a daughter and two grandchildren.

Upon completion of the 500th installation last week, fire officials announced another round of alarms received through a new grant from Home Depot and the State Fire Council, of which Maui Fire Chief Jeffrey Murray is a member.

“Smoke alarms provide an early warning of fire, giving you and your family more time to safely evacuate your home,” said Fire Chief Murray in a department-issued press release.

“With the continued assistance of the IBEW, we look forward to the installation of the next round of smoke alarms,” said Chief Murray.

Residents who are interested in applying for free installation can obtain an application at the Kaunoa Senior Center in Kūʻau, at the Office on Aging and MEO offices the Cameron Center in Wailuku, at any county fire station, or online at the Maui Fire Prevention website.

Officials with the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety issued a reminder to the public to always practice fire safety by, “making and practicing fire escape plans with your families and installing smoke alarms and testing them regularly.”