Fuata selected as new Civil Defense Administrator

Hawai’i Army National Guard Col. Benedict Fuata has been selected as the next Civil Defense Administrator for the County of Hawai’i.

It was announced Thursday by Mayor Billy Kenoi.

Fuata, 50, has been the Commander of the Army Aviation Support Facility in Hilo since 1993. He is also the Guard’s director for logistics. He will transition from his previous position at the National Guard during the coming weeks. Fuata replaces Quince Mento, who retired Dec. 1. John Drummond, an administrative officer at Civil Defense, has been serving as acting administrator since Mento’s retirement.

The Civil Defense administrator directs and coordinates the development and administration of the county’s emergency preparedness and response program to ensure prompt and effective action when natural or man-caused disaster threaten or impact Hawai’i Island.