HONOLULU — In the hours before their official graduation ceremony, 11 Honolulu Fire Department recruits spent Friday morning at Mauna Ala, the royal mausoleum, paying their respects to the 19th century Hawaiian royalty who founded and developed the department.

What You Need To Know

  • Since 2018, every Honolulu Fire Department recruit class has made the visit to Mauna Ala to recognize and perpetuate the department’s connection with its royal past

  • Kauikeaouli (King Kamehameha III) established HFD in 1851. King David Kalakaua was a member of Engine Co. 4. Prince Albert was also an honorary member of Engine Co. 4

  • The recruits visited the Mauna Ala chapel as well as the tombs and crypts of the alii

  • Recruits also participated in a blessing in which they placed their hands in a koa bowl of water and imprinted them on the part of a fire engine that best represented their assigned job

Kauikeaouli (King Kamehameha III) established HFD in 1851. King David Kalakaua was a member of Engine Co. 4. Prince Albert was also an honorary member of Engine Co. 4.

“Having the fire department visit Mauna Ala is truly to ground ourselves physically, spiritually and mentally and to honor and pay respect to our alii — in particular, Prince Albert, King Kalakaua and Kauikeaouli. They all were part of our HFD Ohana,” said HFD Capt. Pookela Hanson, one of the driving forces behind the program.

Since 2018, every HFD recruit class has visited Mauna Ala to recognize and perpetuate the department’s connection with its royal past. This year’s class was joined by members of the Honolulu City Council, family and other guests.

The recruits visited the Mauna Ala chapel as well as the tombs and crypts of the alii. As part of the tour, firefighter Kaipo Lindsey Jr. shared stories of the kings, queens, princes and princesses lying in rest at Mauna Ala.

Recruits also participated in a blessing in which they placed their hands in a koa bowl of water and imprinted them on the part of a fire engine that best represented their assigned job.

“Mauna Ala is one of the most revered state monuments in our nation,” Curt Cottrell, administrator of the DLNR Division of State Parks. “It’s an honor and a little daunting for those of us at state parks to be able to steward this place and to host these kinds of events so people truly connect with their culture and heritage. I think it’s awesome that HFD wants their new recruits to be grounded in the history of their department.”

HFD officials have made it a point of emphasis to recognize its origins in the Kingdom of Hawaii. The HFD Museum, at its South Street headquarters, showcases Hawaiian royals' role in the establishment and development of HFD, which has given all its apparatuses Hawaiian names.

“We come to these recognitions as strangers, but leave here as family,” Hanson said. “I think that’s what strengthens our department, strengthens our community, and strengthens us as people serving this community. Everybody can relate to the fact that we all have ancestors, and we draw our wisdom, knowledge, and ability to make decisions from the people who came before us.”

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.