Live Like Treʻ Foundation honors three Maui fire cadets for second year

The Live Like Treʻ Foundation partnered with the Hoʻomau Fire Academy for the second consecutive year to recognize three Maui fire cadets, using the ceremony to share lessons on leadership, safety, accountability and service with the next generation of firefighters.

During the awards presentation, the foundation showed a video encouraging cadets to consider the kind of firefighters and leaders they want to become, emphasizing the importance of following safety protocols, speaking up about safety concerns, supporting fellow team members and leading with kindness and humility. The video also told the story of Maui firefighter Treʻ Evans-Dumaran, whose life and line-of-duty death inspired the foundation’s creation.

Three cadets received awards from the foundation:

• Brennan Pakani received the Backbone Award for consistently following protocols and leading by example.
• Ezra Lindsey received the Courage to Speak Award for raising concerns about the safety of others.
• Makana Kanekoa received the Heart of the Team Award for uplifting fellow cadets and leading with kindness and humility.

Each cadet also received a book focused on personal growth, part of the foundation’s continued investment in the cadets’ development beyond the academy.

Chelsie Evans Enos, Treʻ’s mother and the foundation’s founder, said the awards are meant to broaden cadets’ understanding of courage.

“We want these young firefighters to understand that courage isn’t only about running toward danger,” Evans Enos said. “It is also having the courage to speak up when something may be unsafe, following protocols that protect yourself and your team, and looking out for the people serving beside you. If Treʻ’s story can help shape safer, stronger leaders for the next generation, that is an important part of carrying his legacy forward.”

Evans-Dumaran died in the line of duty in 2023 at age 24 while responding to floodwaters in a high-risk area in Kīhei. According to the foundation, he was known for his kindness, humility and care for others. The Live Like Treʻ Foundation was established that year to honor his life and sacrifice, and has since worked to advocate for the safety, support and well-being of firefighters and their families.

The foundation says it has reinvested more than $250,000 into Hawaiʻi communities since its founding through direct support, acts of kindness and advocacy efforts. Its work includes scholarships, grants, community support and advocacy for first responders.

More information about the foundation is available at liveliketre.org.