On Dec. 27, 1850, King Kamehameha III signed a law creating the Honolulu Fire Department - the only U.S. fire department established by a ruling monarch. W.C. Parke was the first fire chief. In 1853, Alexander Cartwright (pictured) became chief. Today, the department protects the City and County of Honolulu with 1,100 firefighters and 44 stations.Photos: HFD and Hawaii History web site
