Interim Civil Defense Administrator Named

Hawai’i County Civil Defense. Photo credit: Jamilia Epping.

The County of Hawai’i has named a new interim administrator for the Hawai’i County Civil Defense agency in former Hawai’i State Civil Defense vice director Ed Teixeira.

Teixeira enters the Civil Defense offices following the retirement of Darryl Oliveira earlier this month. Oliveira, former Hawai’i County Fire Department Chief, served as Civil Defense’s administrator since 2013.

During his three years with the agency, Oliveira handled several emergency situations on the island, including preparation and response to Tropical Storm Iselle, the June 27, 2014 Lava Flow, and the recent Big Island Dengue Fever outbreak.

Teixeira comes to Civil Defense as a combat veteran who served in Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and Germany. He retired from the U.S. Army as a colonel after 26 years of service.

After retiring from the military, Teixeira began his career in emergency management at State Civil Defense in 1996. In 1999, he was named vice director of the State agency.

In 2011, Teixeira retired from State Civil Defense and has worked as an instructor at Chaminade University in Honolulu and as a disaster preparedness and planning consultant since.

“Ed Teixeira has worked for many years to keep the people of Hawai‘i Island safe in his role at State Civil Defense,” said Mayor Billy Kenoi. “We welcome his expertise and leadership at the helm of Hawai‘i County Civil Defense.”

Teixeira was born and raised on Oahu, but purchased a home in Waimea in 1986 when he was stationed at Pohakuloa Training Area. His mother was raised in Honohina.

“I want to thank Mayor Kenoi for his confidence and for giving me the opportunity to serve the good people of Hawaiʻi County, said Teixeira. “As a resident of the Big Island, I am proud to be a member of his Civil Defense team. I extend my thanks and congratulations to Chief Darryl Oliveira for his outstanding work in the Civil Defense Agency, an agency with a history of excellence.”

Teixeira’s role went into effect Monday.