East Hawaii officer, firefighter of year honored

The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii honored police Officer Ryan Pagan as Officer of the Year and Capt. Garrett Kim as Firefighter of the Year during a dinner ceremony March 24 at Nani Mau Gardens.

Pagan, who joined the Police Department in 2008, is a patrol officer assigned to the South Hilo District. Kim has worked for the Fire Department for 15 years and is assigned to the Kaumana Fire Station. Each honoree received a plaque from the Aloha Exchange Club, a gift basket of donated items from local businesses and certificates of commendation from the mayor’s office, governor’s office, state Legislature and the Hawaii County Council.

Pagan was honored for rescuing an elderly woman who, along with her husband, had been reported missing. After several days of searching, Pagan located the 88-year-old woman and the body of the 93-year-old man in a ravine down the street from a house owned by a relative. The woman had fallen days earlier, was unable to get up and had been without food and water since her fall. Her husband was found nearby but was no longer alive.

“It is Officer Pagan’s perseverance that made the difference which saved a life that day,” wrote Lt. Alan Kimura in nomination papers. “He is not a person who looks for recognition or talks about his accomplishments, however, his actions deserve to be acknowledged.”

Kim was honored for spearheading several programs that benefit the Fire Department and the community. He obtained the grant money, assembled instructors and developed the class outline for the department’s Fire Ground Survival Program. He also led efforts to obtain grant money for the development of the department’s Firefighter Peer Fitness Program and is an advocate for raising awareness of cancer prevention within the department.

In addition, Kim frequently served as planning section chief in the Fire Department’s assistance to the county’s response to dengue fever.

“Captain Kim has accomplished all of these things and much more, without ever seeking any type of recognition,” said Capt. Christian Wong, who nominated him. “He has accomplished all of these things out of genuine concern for his fellow firefighters and service to the community.”