Capt. Melanie Keolanui broke a significant milestone in 2020 after becoming the first-ever female fire captain for the Hawaii County Fire Department — essentially becoming a role model for aspiring female firefighters throughout the state and the country.
Born and raised in Hilo, Keolanui graduated from Hilo High School in 1997. She was the youngest of four kids and with a strength in athletics, exemplified playing Division 1 volleyball for Creighton University on a full scholarship.
"I have always had an interest in sports, exercise, and the medical field," she told the Ohana Times. "I worked as a personal trainer and high school coach before joining HFD [Hawaii County Fire Department] in 2005."
Unlike some firefighters, Keolanui didn't grow up wanting to work for the department. Rather, two close friends within the HFD suggested she also apply because of her love of athletics and competition.
"I guess they thought I could survive in this career, and I am very thankful that they convinced me to go for it," the newly-minted captain said.
Before becoming a captain of the HFD, Keolanui had read that another woman achieved the rank with the Honolulu Fire Department, which stoked the flames of ambition within her to rise to the same heights as her Honolulu counterpart.
"I am proud to be the first female fire captain for the Hawaii Fire Department. I remember reading an article many years ago about the first female Fire Captain for Honolulu FD, and it gave me hope that I could one day achieve that goal, and here I am," she told the Firemen's Fund. "I hope that I can inspire other women to take on the challenge and follow in my footsteps."
Keolanui has worked tirelessly to help her community, either through running into burning buildings or talking to youth. And that is a message she wants potential future firefighters to consider.
"When it comes to accomplishing any goal, it doesn't matter your gender, age, race, or background; all that matters is that you set your intentions and back them up with your actions," she told the fund.