The Kingdom (1800-1893), Provisional Government (1893-1894),
Republic (1894-1900), Territory (1900-1959), and State(1959-present).
Considered rare, this badge was used by the Honolulu Fire Department. Sterling silver, circa 1850's.
Thanks to Gregory Hunt, collector and historian of Hawaiian badges for the following.
Dear Jim,
In 1850 Kamehameha III founded the Honolulu Fire Department. HFD stands for the Honolulu Fire
Department. Since the police under the kingdom was already operational, the initial job of arson investigation came under the perview of the Hawaii Kingdom Marshall. Usually his designee Sheriff of the district or his deputy sheriff
handled these types of crimes up until the formulation of the Honolulu Fire Department. This badge you refer to is one of two badges... one calling the operation HPD/HFD and the other like your own calling it HFD/POLICE. These individuals
were police and fire that handle the arson investigations during the Kingdom (1850-1893). These badges had only a short history as the fire department and police wish to remain autonmous. The specific time frame appears to be (1850's
only). The first kingdom police badges were the Marshall, Sheriff, and Deputy-sheriff. The officers badges were octagons. The fire department badges had Chief, fireman from Fire Houses1-5 on Oahu and simular on the outer islands.
Gregory Hunt
Sheriff of Hawaii badge (with eagle) is of rose gold and is a presentation piece dated
Jan 1,1894 (beginning of Provisional Government), from Hilo Police.
Sheriff of Oahu badge. Circa 1852, Kingdom of Hawaii.
Honolulu 45 Police badge. Circa 1858, Kingdom of Hawaii.
AW
JC
