The Honolulu Fire Museum and Education Center Opens & Offers Free Tours
Preservation in the News: The new Honolulu Fire Museum houses a fascinating array of firefighter-related artifacts and some incredible history. Not to be missed! CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM The upper floor of the museum was once was the dormitory of the old Kakaako firehouse. September 11, 2015 Honolulu Star Advertiser by Star Advertiser staff The new Honolulu Fire Museum and Education Center will open to free tours starting Sept. 19. The one-hour guided tours, which will highlight the department's history, will continue every third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. "It's going to be a guided tour with a real firefighter who's going to give the history of our department and show exhibits," said firefighter Kendall Ching. The Honolulu Fire Museum and Education Center is at 620 South St. Tours are available by reservation only. More information is available online at www.honolulu.gov/hfd/communityrelations.html, or call 723-7167. CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM A melted helmet worn by Honolulu firefighter Ken Yamamoto during the Chevron gasoline fire on Aug. 15, 1980, is on display in the museum, above. Yamamoto was engulfed in flames but escaped with minor injuries. CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM A Honolulu Fire Department engine that responded to the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941.