Na Heihei a Ola 2025 - In Memory of Danny Smith

On Saturday, February 22nd, 2025, we will host Na Heihei a Ola, the 48th Annual Waimea Town Celebration Fun Run. This year we’d like to honor Danny Smith, who was an incredible member of the Waimea community, and instrumental in this event’s history since it’s beginnings nearly 50 years ago. Although he is no longer with us, we celebrate him through his lasting legacy and are honored to share his story as told by his ‘ohana. Mahalo.

Danny David Smith

Danny David Smith retired from the county of Kauai Fire Department. He served as fireman from 1966 to 1999 (33 years of service). He was a man that loved his ohana, his friends, and his community. His wife Carol Smith, daughters Nalani Shigematsu (deceased) and Uilani Albarado, and son Kawika Smith were all so blessed to be influenced by his greatness. He was loved by all who met him and there are so many that he touched in a special way. He was a great contributor to his community and country as an Army veteran and as a firefighter. He also coached various sports at the community and high school levels and was an active member at the Waimea United Church of Christ.

Firefighters on Kaua`i faced many challenges in the past when responding to rescues in the mountains due to limited technology, emergency response systems, and rescue helicopters were non-existent at the time.  For these types of emergencies, Dad would be the person in charge of coordinating these rescues. They would have to hike long distances and he would even saddle his mule and head into the remote backcountry to search for people who were lost. 

He was always in top physical shape doing marathons, swimming races, triathlons, and played various sports such as volleyball, basketball, and softball. He would run just about everyday in his younger years and decided to switch to riding his bike because he knew that it would be less of a strain on his knees. He would bike for at least 25 miles a day and said that his main motivation to stay in such great physical shape in his older years was to continue hunting in the mountains in Waimea. He ran the Waimea fun run many times since its inception in 1978 and has influenced many to run it also just to be physically fit. We are honored that this years race is a tribute to him and that we can be a part of this great tradition of the Waimea Town Celebration.