Three Maui men recently received the Kahuola Award for performing heroic acts to save a life.
Maui County’s Department of Fire & Public Safety and the Fire & Public Safety Commission in March presented the awards to Taje Akaka-Foster, James Giroux and James Owen Deatrick.
Since its inception in 2004, there have only been 16 recipients of the award.
Akaka-Foster was 15 years old on July 27 when he witnessed an elderly man fall into the ocean at Kamaole Beach Park. Akaka-Foster, with the assistance of his younger brother Chayce, managed to pull the struggling man out of the water and onto the rocks, where another witness performed CPR on the victim, according to a news release.
“Taje demonstrated skill and courage while performing this selfless act. His actions gave this man, a complete stranger, every chance for survival,” said firefighter Jeffrey Robson in his nomination.
Giroux, a deputy corporation counsel for Maui County, was injured in a fatal plane crash on Lanai on Feb. 26, 2014, which involved five county workers and the pilot of the chartered plane. Three county workers, including Giroux, survived; two others and the pilot died.
Although Giroux sustained injuries, he managed to pull two co-workers from the burning plane. He also contacted emergency services personnel and directed them to the crash, according to a news release.
“Mr. Giroux, acting without regard for his own safety, returned to the wreckage not once, but twice, to rescue and render assistance to his injured colleagues. His actions that day were truly heroic.” said Gen Iinuma in his nomination.
Deatrick, a firefighter II, was off-duty on Oct. 4 when he witnessed a stabbing at his housing complex. Deatrick subdued the assailant and provided medical attention to the victim until the arrival of emergency services personnel, according to a news release.
Fire & Public Safety Commission Chairman William “Butch” Soares said: “We are pleased and proud to recognize these three outstanding citizens that took action to save another’s life. It shows that we have caring, positive-action members within our county and honoring them is a small reward for their actions. Three young men with great values and sense of being.”
Fire Chief Jeff Murray added: “The department lauds these heroic men for their extraordinary actions to save someone else’s life. Without regard for their own safety, these men put their own lives in harm’s way, to save the life of another. Their actions exemplify great heroism, and we are proud to be able to recognize them for their courage and selflessness.”
To learn about the Kahuola Awards program, including how to submit a nomination, go to www.mauicounty.gov/index.aspx?NID=1708 or contact the fire chief’s office at 270-7561.
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