The Honolulu Fire Department will begin its search for a new chief Sunday following the expected announcement today that Attilio Leonardi will leave the post early next year.

Leonardi officially retired at the end of 2003, but stayed on as chief under a special temporary appointment, which ends on Jan. 15, 2006. Leonardi, who has been chief since April 9, 1998, has scheduled a news conference for today to say he does not plan on working beyond the extension.

In November 2003, Leonardi announced that he was retiring from his $112,206 job because he said he would lose pension benefits under the retirement laws if he did not start taking his pension.

But the 34-year HFD veteran continued to work under an 89-day renewable contract that was approved by the Honolulu Fire Commission.

The arrangement raised the eyebrows of critics who said Leonardi was "double-dipping" by receiving retirement benefits and getting full pay.

At the time, Leonardi said he was entitled to the pension benefits because he had contributed 12.2 percent of his gross pay into the retirement system during his career.

Leonardi joined the Fire Department in 1971 and served as deputy chief from 1995 to April 1998, when he was appointed chief to replace Anthony Lopez. Among the major projects during Leonardi's tenure are the re-accreditation of the department, National Fire Fighter Certification, recent conveyance of the training center property from the Navy, and the scheduled completion of HFD headquarters at the end of the year.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.