Committee forwards nomination of Derwin Ignacio to Hawaii County Fire Commission

The Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee on Jan. 22 voted to forward the nomination of Derwin Ignacio to the Hawaii County Fire Commission to the full council with a favorable recommendation.

Micah Alam, executive assistant in the mayor €™s office, introduced Ignacio on behalf of Mayor Kimo Alameda, saying Ignacio served four years in the U.S. Air Force, worked for Hamakua Sugar and served more than 25 years with the Hawaii Police Department. If confirmed by the council, Ignacio €™s term would run through Dec. 31, 2030.

"We've had the pleasure of getting to know Mr. Ignacio," Alam told the committee, describing the nominee as "a proud Hamakua boy" and praising his public-safety background. Ignacio spoke briefly and thanked the council for the opportunity, saying, "Mahalo to the council for your consideration in this great opportunity for me." (Derwin Ignacio)

Council Member Heather Kimball and other members expressed support for the nomination, noting Ignacio's long public-safety record and local ties. Kimball said she looked forward to his service and that his experience would be valuable to the Fire Commission as it undertakes a process to hire the next fire chief.

A motion to close the file on Communication 691 and forward Ignacio's nomination with a favorable recommendation was moved and seconded by council members and passed by the committee. The clerk recorded six members voting in favor and the absent/excused members noted in the record; the nomination will be scheduled for consideration by the full county council.

Next steps: The nomination will proceed to the full Hawaii County Council for confirmation or rejection; the council €™s agenda office will set the timing for that vote.