Makakilo Firefighter Honored For Work In Explorer Posts
The Aloha Council Boy Scouts of America held its 2012 Ko Olina District Recognition Dinner March 9 at the JW Marriot Ihilani Resort. The evening drew 160 guests and celebrated the achievement, effort and fellowship of our Ko Olina district Scouts and volunteers. A total of 18 volunteers were awarded certificates of recognition for their service.
Three young men were recognized for earning the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. They were Tyler Cain from Ewa Beach, Jared Kaonohi from Kapolei, and Christian Wilding from Ewa Beach.
Additionally, two community volunteers were honored with the distinguished Aloha Council District Award of Merit. The Award of Merit is prized because recipients are chosen by peer nomination, and it is the highest volunteer award presented at the district level.
I was honored to present to Capt. Stuart Hee of Makakilo Engine 35, the Aloha Council District Award of Merit, as well as a joint Certificate of Recognition on behalf of the Hawaii State Legislature.
Capt. Hee has been actively involved in fire exploration and safety since his senior year at Radford High School, and has dedicated much of his life to educating and protecting his community. In 1981 he became a member of the first Honolulu Fire Department Boy Scout Fire Explorer Post 331, which was formed at the Kalihi Kai fire station. The fire exploration program is a coeducational career program for youths ages 14-21 that promotes fire safety, leadership and emergency services.
On April 16 1986, Capt. Hee became the first Fire Explorer to be hired by the Honolulu Fire Department and has since remained dedicated to the Fire Explorer program. He was reunited with the program by serving as a committee board member and later as a board member at the Nanakuli Fire Station Post 428.
In January of 2011, along with his fellow crew members, Hee created the Makakilo Fire Explorer Post 235, where he now serves as the post adviser.
Today, Capt. Hee and his crew devote significant time and energy to promote a hands-on youth program that combines fun with strong respect for fire safety. Capt. Hee serves as an inspiration to us all by exemplifying the Boy Scouts of America mission statement: “To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.” Our Second City and the Honolulu Fire Department congratulate Capt. Hee and his family for being recognized with the Aloha Council District Award of Merit, and we are grateful for his service to the community as a firefighter and mentor to our keiki.
