Hawaiʻi County will illuminate the county building atrium at 25 Aupuni St. in Hilo the color red from sundown on Sunday, September 26 through sunrise on Sunday, October 3, joining landmarks and fire departments across the nation being lit in honor of our fallen firefighters.

Among the firefighters in the 2021 Roll of Honor is our own HFD firefighter, Eric Tetsu Hayashi. Hayashi served with the Hawaii Fire Department in Hilo for 25 years. Known to many as “Buta,” Hayashi served in various stations with his last days of duty at the Laupahoehoe Fire Station as a fire equipment operator.

“One thing about “Buta” is he truly loved being a firefighter,” said Assitant Chief Darwin Okinaka, Hawaiʻi Fire Department. “He embraced the profession and was a true steward of the concept of providing exceptional service to the community. I worked alongside him for many years as a firefighter, and he is truly missed.”

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is inviting communities to commemorate the Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters campaign to honor and reflect on the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes. For ways to participate in this year’s Night for Fallen Firefighters campaign, visit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation website.