Citizen lifesavers get medals

Seven receive the Civilian Medal of Valor for bravery last year

The Honolulu Fire Department and Mayor Mufi Hannemann honored seven civilians with medals yesterday for their acts of bravery in saving lives.

The following individuals received the Civilian Medal of Valor:

» Peter Sigouin rescued a woman who fell from a cliff at China Walls on June 12. Sigouin kept the injured woman's head above water and brought her to shore before emergency personnel arrived.

» Frank M. Abreu jumped into the ocean at Kaaawa Beach to help a diver in distress May 9, keeping the diver's head above water until emergency personnel arrived.

» On Oct. 7, 2004, Clyde Nitta heard cries for help at Kahala Beach and swam into deep water to save a fisherman who had been swept off the reef. Nitta brought the man back to the reef and guided him to rescue personnel.

» On Aug. 25, 2004, Andrew Kim pulled out his younger brother, found floating in a Kilauea Avenue pool, and called his parents. Kim's father resuscitated his brother before emergency personnel arrived.

» Three surfers -- Daniel Chavez, Kurtis K.C. Ko and Jason A.J. Jackson -- rescued a surfer in distress on July 16, 2004. They paddled to a surfer who had fallen off his board and did not surface. They found him unconscious and assisted in putting him back on his board and bringing him to shore.

Receiving the Certificate of Commendation was Wes Nakamura.

On July 16, 2004, Nakamura came to the aid of a fisherman who was washed off the reef. Nakamura called 911 and kept visual contact with the fisherman. He guided rescue personnel to the man.