4 Maui Firefighters Promoted

MFD Promotions: (top left) Edmund Wong Leong; (top right) Kawika Alo; (bottom left) Shawn Kiesel; and (bottom right) Laʻakea Chang.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui Fire Chief Jeff Murray announced the promotion of four firefighters, three to the rank of Firefighter II, and one to the rank of Firefighter III.

Firefighter Edmund Wong Leong’s promotion to the rank of Firefighter III took effect on August 1, 2015.

Firefighters Kawika Alo, Shawn Kiesel and Laʻakea Chang were promoted to Firefighter II.  Their promotions took effect on July 1, 2015.

Below are some details on each individual, as provided by the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety.

Edmund Wong Leong: is a 14 year career firefighter and a 5 year veteran of Maui Fire Department. He was initially hired in 2001 by the Honolulu Fire Department, before eventually joining the Maui Fire Department in September 2009. Since then, he has worked at the Lānaʻi, Kula and Kīhei fire stations. He served at the Wailea fire station until his recent promotion from Firefighter I to Firefighter III. Wong Leong began his new assignment as Fire Apparatus Operator at Hoʻolehua fire station on Molokaʻi. He is a 1995 graduate of Castle High School, on Oʻahu and now lives in Wailuku with his wife Brianne and their children Kaua, Hoʻea and Kuleʻa, ages 5, 3, and 1.

Kawika Alo: is a 14 year career firefighter and an 8 year veteran of Maui Fire Department. He too, began his career in 2001 with the Honolulu Fire Department, before eventually joining the Maui Fire Department in June 2007. While at HFD, he worked on Quint 31, a ladder truck at the Kalihi Kai station in downtown Honolulu. He worked at the Wailea fire station until transferring in December 2011 to his latest assignment on Engine 10 in Kahului.  Alo began his new assignment as Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Technician in Kahului.  He is a 1993 graduate of Punahou High School on Oʻahu and now lives in Waiohuli with his wife Kainea and daughters Kauhi, Hiilei and Kawekiu, ages 9, 6, and 1.

Shawn Kiesel: joined the ranks of the Maui Fire Department in February 2008 and is a seven year veteran. Since graduating from recruit school, he has worked on Engine 10 at the Kahului fire station. He serves on the radio communications team that deploys at large scale training exercises and major incidents.  Kiesel began his new assignment as a Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Technician in Kahului. He graduated from Maui High School in 1994 and now lives in Waikapū with his wife Kelli and their daughter Takara Lee, 11, and sons Trenton, and Tavin, ages 9, and 6.

Laʻakea Chang: joined the ranks of the Maui Fire Department in May 2007 and is an eight year veteran. After recruit class he was assigned to the Hāna fire station. In February 2010 he transferred to the Kahului fire station, and worked on Engine 10 until his recent promotion. Chang began his new assignment as a Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Technician in Kahului. He is a 1997 graduate of Baldwin High School. He lives in Waiehu with his wife Sheyna-Marie and their sons Kaikuolo and Kealaula, ages 3 and 1.