CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Debbie Eleneki beamed yesterday after becoming the first woman promoted to captain in Honolulu Fire Department history. With her is husband Alika Eleneki, left, and father Peter Akiona, who retired from HFD as a captain in 1976.

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HFD promotes first
woman to captain

CORRECTION Saturday, April 2, 2005 » Three brothers of newly appointed Honolulu Fire Capt. Debbie Akiona Eleneki, Byron, Aaron and Kevin, are retired from the fire department. An information box on Page A3 in yesterday's early edition incorrectly stated that they were still firefighters. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.

Debbie Akiona Eleneki grew up in a world where mostly boys dreamed of becoming firefighters.

Fast facts Debbie Akiona Eleneki is the first woman to be promoted to the rank of captain. Age: 37 High school: Kamehameha Schools Previous rank: Engineer Background: Her father, Peter Akiona, is a retired fire rescue captain, and four brothers -- Byron, Aaron, Kevin and Peter -- are firefighters.

Even after taking, and passing, the civil service exam to become a firefighter in 1987, at age 19, it wasn't her dream.

She had taken the exam only because her firefighting dad said it would be useful when she applied for other civil service jobs.

And then a family friend told her she'd never be able to handle the job.

It was as if someone had lit a fire.

"You know, a woman scorned and all that," she said. "I did it because people didn't think I could do it.

"Otherwise, I didn't think I'd pursue it at all."

A desire to prove herself turned into a distinguished career full of firsts. She became the first female firefighter with the Honolulu Fire Department.

And now at 37, the girl from Waimanalo has achieved another HFD milestone as the first woman to be promoted to the rank of captain.

"Like a colleague of mine said, 'Man or woman, it's an honor for all of us,'" she said. "This is a proud moment for me."

Eleneki was among 23 fire personnel promoted to the rank of captain yesterday. Cheering her on during the ceremony was her family, including her four brothers and her father, all of whom have had or have careers with HFD.

Her father, Peter Akiona Jr., admits he was worried about his daughter following in his footsteps.

"I was nervous about how she would be accepted," said Akiona, who retired in 1976, "but I believe this is going to open up doors for the gender. My only advice is she keeps the tradition of the Fire Department ... to give more than you receive.

"Everything else will follow."

Peter Akiona III is the only sibling who is still active in the Fire Department. He is assigned to HFD's Rescue 1 crew, and he remembers how glad he was that he didn't have to compete with his sister in the civil service test. She was in the recruit class ahead of him that same year.

"She scored better than me on the test," he said, laughing. "She's smarter."