The sudden passing of Hawaiʻi County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd has deeply saddened the state. In a statement obtained by the Office of the Governor, Governor Josh Green offered his "heartfelt aloha to the Todd ʻohana," praising Chief Todd's dedication to safety and his statewide impact. State Fire Marshal Dori Booth also honored Todd's contributions to the community and the State Fire Council, extending condolences to his family and colleagues.
Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, representing Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, extended his deepest sympathies to the Todd family and recognized Chief Todd’s influence beyond Hawaiʻi County through his state-level work, according to a County of Kauaʻi press release.
Kauaʻi Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson remembered Chief Todd as a mentor and friend whose example set the standard for leadership, while Kauaʻi Police Department Chief Elliott Kalani Ke praised his integrity and the lasting impact on both law enforcement and fire service personnel across Hawaiʻi.
As the state mourns, officials and colleagues are committed to upholding Chief Todd's legacy. The Office of the State Fire Marshal pledged support and solidarity to the Hawaiʻi County Fire Department, honoring a leader who inspired both on the frontlines and among those he led, as Dori Booth noted in Governor Green's release.
