When federal firefighters Reid Shimabukuro and Dale Alejandro aren’t battling blazes, providing emergency services, and saving lives, they’re in a classroom mentoring the next generation of first responders. Welcome to Hoomau Fire Academy.
Recruit, retain, retire
To address the high turnover rate in fire departments, federal firefighter captain and union secretary Douglas Barbieto envisioned a program for young people ages 16 to 24 to get experience and mentorship from active and retired firefighters. “He wanted to invest in local kids by giving those interested in pursuing a career as a firefighter exposure to the expectations and rigor of the job,” Shimabukuro says. “That way, we’d retain more people. And that’s the goal: Recruit, retain, retire.”
They formed an executive board with members Sheldon Sunada, Harry Lyons, and Dennis Nardo and launched the academy in 2022, just months after Barbieto passed away from prostate cancer. “We wanted to get the program up and running in his memory,” Alejandro says.
Since Shimabukuro coached football at Palama Settlement, he knew it would be a great place to hold classes. They recruited volunteer instructors from the military, Honolulu Fire Department, and Federal Fire Department. “These volunteers want to take an active role in mentoring potential firefighters,” says Shimabukuro. “The success of the academy lies in their willingness to give back.” Classes have expanded to the Neighbor Islands.
Instructor Dale Alejandro (right) and alumni cadet Roi Katigbak (left) coach a cadet through the mock agility test.
From cadets to fire department candidates
The academy’s success is also due to the participants, or cadets. Once accepted into the six-week program, they participate in physical, agility, and hands-on training; develop public speaking skills; and learn what it’s like to be a firefighter. Every morning, they’re expected to complete morning duty: making their bed, shining their boots, and completing 40 burpees. “We ask them to push themselves, and they do,” Alejandro says. “When we offer life lessons, they take what we say to heart.”
Cadets from Class 012 on Maui learn early CPR.
If a cadet realizes that fire service may not be right for them, they’re able to pivot. “They can learn more about a career in ocean safety, emergency medical services, even the police department,” Alejandro says.
“The life of a firefighter is as tough as it is rewarding and it’s not for everyone. So, we give our cadets options.”
Graduates with gratitude
Once cadets graduate from the program, they’re not guaranteed a job. But they do know what to expect during the application process and have an expanded support network thanks to the academy. “They’ve made connections with their instructors and fellow cadets,” Shimabukuro says. “We do our best to prepare them, but it’s up to them to use the skills they learned.”
In just two years, the academy has produced an impressive number of success stories. “So far, we’ve had 33 cadets hired as firefighters, EMTs, lifeguards and into the military,” Shimabukuro says. “We’re so proud of them.”
Sometimes, alumni will return to give talks to current cadets to share their experience. “They believe in the mission and want to help others achieve their goals,” says Alejandro. “They continually show up for each other.”
Bright future
When the board started the academy, there was no roadmap to follow. “We led from our hearts and learned from our mistakes,” Alejandro says. They hope to expand the program and hire staff to help increase their budget. “Whenever we hear a cadet has been hired, it validates the work we do,” Shimabukuro says. “It’s rewarding to know that we’re making a difference.”
Read about academy graduate Maxx Waynant’s inspirational journey from recruit to federal firefighter.
Learn more about Hoomau Fire Academy and how to get involved on their website, Instagram, or you can email or call them at 808-255-9253.
Photos courtesy Hoomau Fire Academy
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