Hawaiʻi County hires Darryl Oliveira as acting Administrator for Civil Defense Agency

Darryl Oliveria, who previously served as the head of the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency, will return as acting Administrator until the County hires a permanent leader.

When former Administrator Talmadge Magno retired on Aug. 1, County Managing Director Bill Brilhante became acting Administrator for the agency.

Oliveira will not take over until Monday, after Tropical Storm Lala passes the Big Island. But he will be on the job for any recovery efforts. Oliveira also has been engaged with Civil Defense and the County’s planning efforts ahead of Tropical Storm Lala.

“It couldn’t be better timing,” said Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda.

While he doesn’t officially take the acting administrator role until Monday, Alameda said, “I got him at the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) and we’re all working together for the best interest of the county. “

Oliveira headed the Civil Defense Agency as Administrator from 2013 to 2016 and served nine years as Fire Chief.

“We are honored to have Darryl Oliveira return to Civil Defense as acting Administrator,” Alameda said. “We know he will provide the calm and steady leadership that our residents expect from this pivotal role.”

During his previous tenure with Civil Defense, Oliveira oversaw the response to Tropical Storm Iselle, the 2014 Puʻuʻōʻō lava flow, the dengue fever outbreak, and other incidents. Additionally, Oliveira served as interim Director for the Maui Emergency Management Agency from August to November 2023, during the recovery efforts from the Lahaina and Upcountry wildfires.

“Serving our community is always a privilege and I am grateful for the opportunity to step forward,” Oliveira said. “We have a great team at Civil Defense, and our focus as always remains to protect public safety, communicate effectively with our community and partners, and engage our residents with aloha.”