HR213

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	213
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

commending the U.S. Coast Guard Station Maui for its courageous response to the LĀhainĀ wildfire.

WHEREAS, the U.S. Coast Guard Station Maui played a vital role in responding to the devastating wildfires on Maui in August 2023, saving the lives of 17 individuals, assisting approximately 40 individuals in peril, extracting more than 90 vessels obstructing Lāhainā Harbor, and removing over 10,000 gallons of petroleum products from the sensitive marine environment; and

WHEREAS, upon receiving reports of close to 100 people fleeing into the ocean in the vicinity of Front Street in Lāhainā, the crew of Response Boat Medium 45719 were the first Coast Guard responders to deploy to the scene, where they faced perilous wind gusts of more than 50 knots, two-to-three-foot seas, and oppressive smoke, heat, and imminent danger; sustaining damage to their vessel while rescuing the first 12 survivors, the crew carefully returned to the Station at Māʻalaea for repairs and then returned to Lāhainā; and

WHEREAS, the crew aboard Response Boat Medium 45719 consisted of Boatswain's Mate Second Class Theodore Kirkbride, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Christian Lorenzo, Machinery Technician Second Class Mason Anthony, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Joshua Marzilli, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Kaleiopio Guth, Boatswain's Mate Second Class John Thompson, Electrician's Mate Third Class Gregory Goicoechea, and Boatswain's Mate Second Class Lia Baez Calvo; and

WHEREAS, the crew's efforts included navigating into Lāhainā Harbor in order to rescue others in distress, where they were confronted by a harrowing scene, including every structure surrounding the harbor and nearly 80 vessels in the harbor engulfed in flames; and

WHEREAS, in the second deployment of Response Boat Medium 45719 to the scene, the crew, despite the absence of cell phone service and discernible landmarks, relied on their wits and instincts to initiate rescue operations; Petty Officer Joshua Marzilli entered the perilous waters twice, initially alone and then with an off-duty lifeguard, managing to swim and paddle using an inflatable skiff and surfboards through smoke, strong currents, surf breaks, and sharp coral to recover two children; he then went onshore to assist the Maui Fire Department and Department of Land and Natural Resources by facilitating the evacuation of approximately 40 stranded individuals, including three non-ambulatory people whom Petty Officer Joshua Marzilli carried over downed wires and debris to safety; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the heroic efforts of the crew of Response Boat Medium 45719, Electrician's Mate Second Class Nicholas Smith volunteered to serve as a liaison aboard Trilogy II, a sailing catamaran acting as a Good Samaritan vessel, and assisted Response Boat Medium 45719 and other Good Samaritan vessels; he also coordinated a rescue plan for people stranded along the shoreline, including reuniting two children with their parents; and

WHEREAS, Machinery Technician Second Class George Chihara also demonstrated superior initiative and judgment during the first 72 hours of response efforts, coordinating with U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue units, the Maui Fire Department, Ocean Safety, and numerous Good Samaritan vessels; over the following weeks, he spent arduous hours battling fatigue to tenaciously maintain comprehensive search coverage; and

WHEREAS, other Coast Guard members who assisted in the wildfire response and contributed to the safety of the community include Machinery Technician First Class Clayton Wendelgass, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Ryan Prester, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Michael Fasano, Machinery Technician Third Class Jeremiah Stewart, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Hailey Larue, Fireman Nicola Ferraro-Nahr, Machinery Technician First Class Kenneth Cherry, Fireman Hayden Canalia, Boatswain's Mate First Class Matthew Casper, and Machinery Technician Third Class Jeremy Guerreo; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaiʻi, Regular Session of 2025, that this body hereby commends the U.S. Coast Guard Station Maui for its courageous response to the Lāhainā wildfire, expresses its profound, deep appreciation for the extraordinary service members who risked their lives to save others, and extends to them its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

U.S. Coast Guard Station Maui; Lahaina Wildfire Response

HR 213: COMMENDING THE U.S. COAST GUARD STATION MAUI FOR ITS COURAGEOUS RESPONSE TO THE LĀHAINĀ WILDFIRE.

Current Status:

House Floor

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