DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
The Honolulu Fire Department honored 17 people with Certificates of Commendation yesterday. One of the civilians, Leah Benz, got a hug from her sons, Mihi, 12, at left, and Kaha'i, 10. Benz said it was her sons who first noticed a man passed out in a car at the Ewa 7-Eleven and notified their mother. She could not revive him, so she called 911 and stayed with the man.
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17 citizens win firefighting award
One rescuer's honor comes with a caveat from fire officials
Barbara Hosaka, who is married to a firefighter, knew full well the dangers of entering a smoke-filled home.
But Hosaka never experienced it firsthand as she did in May, when she entered her neighbor's home to turn off a burning stove, carry a disabled woman from her bed to a wheelchair and escort her out.
Honorees
Those honored for assisting the Honolulu Fire Department:
Leah Benz, John Cavaco, Kirk Cockett, Dwayne Hamaski, Kathy Higa, Barbara Hosaka, Andy Kumabe, James Makaio, Raymond Namba, Thomas Taylor and Asotau Uikirifi
Police officers also honored for assisting the Fire Department:
Michael Choy, Josh Helbling, Raynette Ho, Dong Lee, David Politsch and Cody Webster
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Yesterday, Hosaka and 16 others were honored by the Honolulu Fire Department for going beyond the call of duty, even if that meant police duty. Among the 17 honored were six police officers.
Battalion Chief Ed Simeona, chief of HFD communications, said the 17 honored yesterday "either acted or reacted to a situation, not because they dreamt of the opportunity to be a firefighter, but they did it because at the time it was the right thing to do."
Some of the residents honored entered burning buildings to alert napping residents. Leah Benz and her family rendered aid to an unconscious person at Fort Weaver Road and waited for emergency responders to arrive.
John Cavaco used his boat to bring responders from Kailua Beach to Popoia Island to help a victim.
The police officers honored alerted and evacuated sleeping residents during an early-morning fire.
Police officer Dong Lee said even though officers are not trained in that kind of work, it was part of his duty. "It's not something we learn, it's a decision we have to make at the scene," Lee said.
Hosaka said she has a newfound respect for her husband's work. She said she used her experience as a health-care professional to lift the elderly woman from the bed to her wheelchair.
"I was gagging the whole time," Hosaka said. "I couldn't see in front of me. I do hear stories about what my husband does. I know it's dangerous, but when it gets to that time, you don't think, you just do."
Hosaka's case was different because the entire building was not on fire, and it was a neighbor's home, Simeona said. Otherwise, he said, the Fire Department advises residents not to enter burning buildings.
"The minimum you could do, call 911," Simeona said, "and then knock on the doors, pound and make as much noise as you can."
Simeona said residents can improvise with garden hoses or fire extinguishers, but make sure never to enter the building.
"We don't want to give the impression to anyone that that's a good thing to do," Simeona said. "If we respond, not only do we have the occupants to worry, but we have other bystanders to worry about. Even for us the dangers are inherent, but imagine how it would be for someone who doesn't have an air-pack or the training."
Police award medals to 4 officers, honor 5 civilians
Honolulu police honored a few of their own this week, plus five residents who played large roles in keeping the community safe.
Four police officers were awarded the Honolulu Police Department's Warrior Bronze Medal of Valor, including three who were instrumental in evacuating residents from a fire at the Hawaiian Prince Apartments.
Officer Tyler Medeiros was awarded the medal for his arrest of a man in the stabbing of the suspect's wife. Medeiros was off duty when a neighbor informed him that a stabbing had occurred, according to a police news release.
Medeiros determined that the suspect was the husband and detained him until police arrived.
Officers Michael Choy, Josh Helbling and David Politisch were awarded the medal for their efforts in evacuating residents from the Hawaiian Prince Apartments.
The three other officers involved in that rescue -- Raynette Ho, Dong Lee and Cody Webster -- were awarded certificates of merit. Officer Andrew Tyau-Beam was awarded a merit certificate for preventing a distraught minor from jumping off a bridge.
Sgt. Bradfield Roberts received a merit certificate for helping to foil a bank robbery while off duty.
Residents Corlis Hayashikawa, Sandy Kamp and Fredrick Johnson received merit certificates for apprehending a suspect who allegedly had robbed a bank. And Sheryl Ann and Bronson Vea received merit certificates for helping in the arrest of a man suspected of stealing copper fascias and flashings from a Board of Water Supply building.