Boniface Stephen Kauweokaohelani Aiu Sr., who rose through the ranks from hose man to Honolulu fire chief, died Feb. 27 in Straub Hospital. He was 89.
Aiu, appointed by Mayor Frank Fasi, served seven years as chief until his retirement in 1980.
Under his tenure, the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association emerged as the exclusive bargaining unit for firefighters and signed its first contract, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.
The department also began changing from the traditional red firetrucks to yellow trucks and 
purchased two yellow pumpers, the Fire Department said. Studies had shown that yellow was more visible than red at night, and the department followed a national trend in changing the color.
"He was well respected. … He was a very good chief and leader," said former Fire Chief Donald S.M. Chang, who was promoted to battalion chief in 1975 when Aiu was fire chief. "He was my mentor."
Aiu began working as a firefighter in 1942 as a hose man and rose through the ranks, becoming fire chief on Feb. 5, 1973, and retiring on Dec. 30, 1980.
Aiu was born in Kailua-Kona, graduated from Konawaena High School and attended UH-Manoa, his family said.
He and his wife, the late kumu hula Margaret Maiki Aiu, had daughters Karen and Coline and sons Guy, Scott and Boniface Jr. (deceased). Aiu is also survived by sister Annie Nobriga and several grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Sunday at the Fire Department headquarters, Hale Kinai Ahi at 636 South St., with a service to follow.
