Fire Chief Candidates Announced

News Release from County of Hawai'i, September 18, 2026

The County of Hawaiʻi Fire Commission will meet on Sept. 24-25 in the County Council Chambers in Hilo to complete the selection of the next Fire Chief.

On Thursday, Sept. 24, six candidates will be interviewed for the position in person and during open session, with interviews continuing the next day if additional time is needed. On Friday, Sept. 25, the commissioners will identify a group of three finalists, from which they will then select a new Fire Chief.

In addition to the in-person interviews, the candidates will each complete a written assessment, which will occur prior to the commission meetings. Scores from both the interview and written assessment will be considered as part of the selection process.

Each meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the Council Chambers located at 25 Aupuni St., Suite 1401.

The candidates, in alphabetical order by last name, are:

• Stacy Domingo – Battalion Chief (Emergency Communications), Hawaiʻi Fire Department.
• Michael Fine – retired Fire Captain, Ventura County Fire Department.
• Melanie Keolanui – Battalion Chief (Operations), Hawaiʻi Fire Department.
• Garrett Kim – retired Fire Captain, Hawaiʻi Fire Department.
• Cole Thompson – former Battalion Chief, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District.
• Daniel Volpe – Temporary Fire Chief, Hawaiʻi Fire Department.

The meetings will be livestreamed on YouTube (view only) at https://youtube.com/@countyofhawaiimedia.

In addition to in-person testimony, remote testimony will also be accepted via Zoom at the links below.

Thursday, Sept. 24  https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1655042281

Friday, Sept. 25  https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1656638353

For more information, view the Sept. 24 and Sept. 25 meeting agendas.

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