Hawaiʻi County government news: the County Council, the mayor’s office, fire, police and other county departments, and the decisions that shape services on Hawaiʻi Island.
Daniel Volpe named Hawaiʻi County fire chief
The Hawaiʻi County Fire Commission voted 5-1 Thursday to make Deputy Chief Daniel Volpe the island’s permanent fire chief. Volpe, 48, has led the Hawaiʻi Fire Department as interim chief since Chief Kazuo Todd died unexpectedly in December 2025.
The commission interviewed six candidates Wednesday and narrowed them to three finalists: Volpe, Battalion Chief Melanie Keolanui and retired Capt. Garrett Kim. Commissioner Carlene Wolf cast the lone vote for Keolanui.
Volpe has more than 20 years with the department as a firefighter, fire medic, battalion chief and deputy chief. As interim chief, he led the department through two hurricanes and several large wildfires this year. He is expected to take office Nov. 12 and will oversee a budget of more than $80 million.
What to watch: Dry grasses that grew during the wet season could fuel a hard fire season next year, and Volpe has said he wants to keep investing in fire prevention.
