Kaua‘i Fire Department holds graduation ceremony for 35th Recruit Class, recognizes new Ocean Safety Bureau officers
LĪHU‘E – The Kaua‘i Fire Department held a special ceremony Friday, welcoming nine new firefighters and recognizing five Ocean Safety Bureau officers at the Līhu‘e Civic Center’s Mo‘ikeha Building rotunda.
Jason Kuwada, Eric Oroc, Kyle Oswalt, Makana Shamblin, Ikaika Vidinha, Kaiao Archer, Elliott Leon, Clifton Oliver, and Canaan Washburn comprise KFD’s 35th Recruit Class.
This year’s class included three recruits from Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), two from the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), and four from the Kaua‘i Fire Department.
The ceremony also recognized five members of the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau: Lauren Holliday, Trystan Nyberg, Osias Page, Aarya Tabalno, and Jae Wood.
“To our newest firefighters and ocean safety officers, congratulations, and mahalo for answering the call to serve,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “I also want to recognize the families, friends, and loved ones who carried the load at home so these graduates could get to this day. Because of your support, our island has more trained professionals ready to run toward danger and look after our community on land and in the water.”
Kaua‘i Fire Chief Michael Gibson offered gratitude to the families and encouragement to the department’s newest members.
“The training does not end today. This is the foundation you will build on for the rest of your careers,” said Chief Gibson. “Respect those who came before you, stay open to their guidance, and take care of one another. To the families, mahalo for your patience and support through these long months of training.”
The ceremony featured the traditional pinning of badges by family members in front of an audience of loved ones and colleagues. The Honor Guard posted the colors, Deputy Chief Roger Mills led the Kaua‘i firefighters’ prayer, and Soncy Tamashiro administered the firefighters’ oath.
Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF)
Jason Kuwada is from Kailua-Kona on Hawai‘i Island and is a graduate of Kealakehe High School. He thanked his family and friends for supporting him throughout the academy, and extended a special mahalo to the KFD Training Bureau and State ARFF. Pinning Jason was his father, James Kuwada.
Eric Oroc was born and raised on Kaua‘i’s Westside and is a graduate of Waimea High School. He thanked the Lord Jesus Christ for guiding him and paving the way for his accomplishments, and expressed deep gratitude to his wife, family, and friends for their unwavering love and support, as well as to the KFD Training Bureau for setting the standard and inspiring the next generation of firefighters. Pinning Eric was his only brother, Marc Oroc.
Kyle Oswalt was born on the mainland and raised on O‘ahu. He is a graduate of Kaimuki High School. He acknowledged his wife, Ocean, for her sacrifice, love, and support during the recruit academy, and his ‘ohana and friends for making it all possible. He extended a special mahalo to the KFD Training Bureau, the many KFD cadre, and the entire Kaua‘i Fire Department for the skills, knowledge, and guidance. Pinning Kyle was his mother, Jerri Oswalt.
Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF)
Makana Shamblin was born and raised on Kaua‘i’s Westside and is a graduate of Waimea High School. He thanked his family and fiancée for their love and support throughout the academy, and sent a special thank you to the PMRF, KFD, and ARFF trainers and personnel who shared their time and knowledge. He said he looks forward to building on those skills for the rest of his career. Pinning Makana was his fiancée, Julia Schilleci.
Ikaika Vidinha was born and raised on Kaua‘i’s Westside and is a graduate of Waimea High School. He thanked his wife and family for their love and support throughout the academy, and extended a special thank you to PMRF and its firefighters for the opportunity, as well as to the KFD Training Bureau and personnel for the knowledge and skills to prepare him for his new career. Pinning Ikaika was his wife, Devon Vidinha.
Kaua‘i Fire Department
Kaiao Archer was born in Kealakekua on Hawai‘i Island and is a graduate of Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy. He thanked his family, especially his wife, Kellyn, for their support and understanding as he pursued firefighting over the years, and extended a special thank you to the Kaua‘i Fire Department and its training cadre for the opportunity to continue serving a community closer to home. Pinning Kaiao was his wife, Kellyn.
Elliott Leon grew up on Kaua‘i’s Eastside and is a graduate of Kapa‘a High School. He thanked his family for their unwavering support throughout recruit class, as well as the KFD Training Bureau and the numerous cadre who dedicated their time to teaching the class. Pinning Elliott was his wife, Victoria.
Clifton Oliver was born and raised in Kapahi and is a graduate of Kapa‘a High School. He thanked his girlfriend, family, and friends for their love and support throughout recruit class, and sent a special thank you to his brothers of Recruit Class 35, the KFD Training Bureau, ARFF, PMRF, and the rest of the Kaua‘i Fire Department for the knowledge and skills to build upon in his new career. Pinning Clifton was his girlfriend, Natalie.
Canaan Washburn was born in Honolulu and raised in Kapahi. He is a graduate of Island School. He thanked his family, especially his wife, Kawena, for supporting him throughout the academy, and gave a special thank you to the KFD Training Bureau and the various cadre for sharing their knowledge and time. Pinning Canaan was his wife, Kawena.
Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau
Lauren Holliday, also known as Lemon, grew up in Georgia, where competitive swimming sparked a lifelong love of the water. After moving to Australia, she served as Oceania communications director for a disaster relief organization, supporting communities through natural disasters and humanitarian response. Her commitment to service and her connection to the ocean led her to Kaua‘i, where becoming an ocean safety officer felt like a natural next step. She said she is proud to serve on the North Shore and grateful for the opportunity to protect the community while inspiring the next generation of water women to find their own connection with the ocean. Outside of work, she enjoys surfing, free diving, traveling, and storytelling.
Trystan Nyberg was raised on Kaua‘i and has had a deep connection to the ocean from a young age. He joined the Ocean Safety Bureau to expand his knowledge of the ocean while using those skills to help keep residents and visitors safe. In his short time with the department, he said he has had the opportunity to serve others in ways he never imagined. He expressed gratitude for the career, for the crew he works alongside, and for the lifeguards who came before him and passed down the knowledge and skills that help keep people safe in and out of the water.
Osias Page, known to most as Ozzie, lives in Kekaha, where he spends much of his time working, fishing, and surfing. He is a graduate of Kaua‘i High School and worked as an arborist before becoming an ocean safety officer in December 2025. He said he was drawn to the work because he enjoys the ocean and helping and educating people about ocean safety.
Aarya Tabalno is from Kōloa and grew up in and around the ocean, spending much of her time surfing, paddling canoe, and enjoying everything the water has to offer. Those experiences gave her a deep respect for the ocean and the responsibility that comes with it. Her father is a retired ocean safety officer, and watching his dedication to serving the community inspired her at a young age to follow in his footsteps. She said she looks forward to learning from the experienced lifeguards around her and doing her part to help keep Kaua‘i beaches safe for residents and visitors alike.
Jae Wood was hired as a part-time lifeguard in November 2024 and, less than a year later, was promoted to a full-time position on Kaua‘i’s North Shore. Before becoming a lifeguard, he was an amateur competitive surfer, and the countless hours he spent in the water gave him a deep understanding of the ocean and comfort in all kinds of conditions. He said he always knew he wanted a career connected to the ocean, making the decision to become a lifeguard an easy one.
For more information about the Kaua‘i Fire Department, please visit www.kauai.gov/fire.
 Group photo of Kaua'i Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson, Kaua'i Fire Department Battalion Chief Jayson Pablo, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Chief Martinez Jacobs, Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) Assistant Fire Chief Bill Mielcke, Kaua'i Fire Department 35th Recruit Class Graduates, and new Ocean Safety Bureau Ocean Safety Officers.
 Kaua'i Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson addresses the crowd gathered in the Rotunda.
 Crowd gathers in the Rotunda for the Kaua'i Fire Department 35th Recruit Graduation Ceremony and recognition of new Ocean Safety Bureau officers.
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