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• Retired Fire Chief Ken Silva Joins the Hawaii Red Cross

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Retired Honolulu Fire Chief Kenneth Silva has joined the Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross as its Chief Operating Officer.

Coralie Chun Matayoshi, Hawaii Red Cross Chief Executive Officer said, "We are thrilled to have Ken join our Red Cross team. His expertise with disasters and knowledge of our local community will enable him to make a significant contribution to our humanitarian mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering by mobilizing the power of volunteers and generosity of donors." Ken Silva added, "I'm excited to be a part of the Red Cross. I've always admired the dedication and commitment they have in helping our community."

Ken served as Fire Chief of the Honolulu Fire Department for the last 7 years and has over 30 years of leadership, supervisory, administrative, and command experience with the Honolulu Fire Department. He served on the Hawaii Fire Chiefs Association, Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, Hawaii State Fire Council, Honolulu Firefighters Foundation (Executive Vice President), International Association of Fire Chiefs (Board of Directors), International Fire Service Accreditation Congress, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association and Western Fire Chiefs Association (Vice President, Hawaii). He is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Hawaii at West Oahu and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Ken has been involved with numerous community organizations such as the Hawaii Special Olympics, Kaneohe American Youth Soccer Organization, Kaneohe Police Activities League, Kaneohe Police Activities League, Muscular Dystrophy Association, New Hope Christian Fellowship, and Ronald McDonald House Charities.



About American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter

HOURS - Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

MISSION
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. It accomplishes this mission through services that are consistent with its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross movement.



The Hawaii State Chapter responds continually to large and small disasters throughout the State of Hawaii. The Red Cross is the only volunteer organization charged, by federal Congressional Charter, with responding during disasters to provide for the immediate emergency needs of families and individuals. In addition, the Chapter prepares individuals and businesses to be more prepared for emergencies and to initiate appropriate action to ensure the health and safety of those around them and themselves.

The American Red Cross is not a government agency. We depend on the aloha spirit of giving from our community to help others in need.

STATEWIDE PRESENCE
The Hawaii State Chapter consists of the Chapter headquarters, four branch offices (East Hawaii, West Hawaii, Kauai and Maui) and four military service centers (Hickam Air Force Base, Schofield Barracks, Kaneohe Marine Corp Base and Tripler Army Medical Center).

HISTORY
Founded in 1881 by Clara Barton, the American Red Cross is one of the oldest human service organizations in the United States. In 1905, the U.S. Congress chartered the Red Cross to help relieve the suffering caused by disasters. Over the years, we have become part of the very fiber of the community and Americans have grown to expect and rely on our swift, professional assistance through a national volunteer corps of more than 1.44 million people. The American Red Cross is one of more than 145 member nations that comprise the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently, 967 chapters make up the American Red Cross.

Although 1917 is the official date that the first American Red Cross chapter was chartered in Hawaii, Red Cross work began as early as 1898, when some 300 women, including Princess Kaiulani, organized a Red Cross society to aid the sick and wounded soldiers stopping here on transports from the Philippines during the Spanish-American War.

Today, the Hawaii State Chapter is a leader in health and safety training. Red Cross disaster volunteers respond regularly to house and apartment fires, and are prepared for larger disasters like hurricanes, tsunamis, and floods.

Through its extensive use of trained volunteers, the American Red Cross has earned a reputation for being of one of the nation's most efficiently managed non-profit organizations, a distinction that has been recognized by publications such as Forbes, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Nonprofit Times and Money Magazine. The Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross has over 4,000 volunteers - a volunteer-to-staff ratio of more than 10 to 1.

The Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross is known for excellent stewardship of funds. We have always prided ourselves on providing services that do not duplicate the services of other non-profits organizations and proactively seeking ways to collaborate with other providers.



Sep 14, 1917: Queen Liliuokalani's secretary, Colonel Iaukea, presents a hand-sewn Red Cross flag to members of the local Chapter on the steps of Iolani Palace. This ceremony took place a few months after the Hawaii Chapter was officially chartered. At the Queen's suggestion, the flag flew over the palace and later hung in the Throne Room during World War I. Mrs. Henry Dawson accepts flag. Territorial Governor Lucius Pinkham is behind Iaukea.

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