Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Administrator
David Lopez
David Lopez returned to the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency in July of 2026 becoming the Administrator. Most recently he was with the Governor’s Office of Recovery & Resiliency. David entered state service in 2015, with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and served in several planning and leadership roles. In 2020, he was promoted to Executive Officer. During the Maui Wildfires, David deployed to Maui for a year to assist with response and recovery efforts leading a joint operational group of military and civilian responders. With over 20 years of experience in international crisis management, David has developed threat mitigation plans, response plans and has responded to events ranging from hurricanes to aircraft disasters to terrorist incidents.
In 2016, David was awarded the Wiwo’ole Award by HIEMA for distinguished service as the Hurricane Program Manager. In 2017, he was HIEMA’s Employee of the Year for the development of a systems approach to State Emergency Management and subsequent Critical Systems Vulnerability Brief. In 2018, he earned the Department of Defense’s Sustained Superior Performance Award for continued exemplary work performance through a series of emergencies.
Prior to state employment, David was the CEO of Office of Special Services, where he led company teams in support of U.S. Government, host nation government and private industry interests in emerging nations, primarily in the Middle East and North Africa for 14 years. It was during this period, he was recognized for the development of the Afghanistan National Interdiction Unit (NIU), which because of David’s strategic plans and training, not only became the premier Afghan narco-terrorist unit but the primary rescue unit for the country’s response to natural and aircraft disasters. The success with the NIU led to his selection to assess and develop a strategic plan to assist the Afghan National Disaster Management Agency to transition from a name only organization to an effective operating agency.
From 1990 through 2004, David served in the U.S. Army, as a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment and the Counternarcotic Task Force, deploying worldwide and conducting numerous missions throughout his time in service.
Mr. Lopez has obtained degrees in Criminal Justice and Political Science graduating Summa Cum Laude, attended the Naval Post Graduate School, Pacific Executive Leadership Program and is a licensed private pilot.
Last updated July 2026