Big Island picks a
new fire chief

Capt. Darryl Oliveira has spent 21
years with the department

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Star-Bulletin staff

HILO >> Capt. Darryl Oliveira of the South Kohala fire station has been selected as Hawaii County's new fire chief by the county Fire Commission.

The action Wednesday was the first time the commission has selected a chief. The commission was created by voters in 2000, partially in response to the perception that mayors who appointed prior chiefs had made the department too political.

Oliveira, 40, a 21-year veteran with the department, has been at the South Kohala station since 1994 but has a wide range of experience in the department.

Oliveira said he will employ a bottom-up management style to determine from firefighters what direction the department needs to take.

The chief's post is currently held by Edward Bumatay, appointed by former Mayor Stephen Yamashiro and held over under contract by current Mayor Harry Kim while the commission's selection process was under way.

Transition details need to be worked out to determine when Oliveira will assume the post, Deputy Corporation Counsel Gerald Takase said.