Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency

MEDIA RELEASE

#2020-001 March 6, 2020
For Immediate Release

New Administrator named for Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency

HONOLULU– State of Hawai’i Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara, has named Luke P. Meyers, former executive officer for Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), as the new administrator for HI-EMA effective March 15, 2020. Former administrator, Tom L. Travis, announced his resignation in January and will remain on staff to provide continuity assistance until March 31, 2020.

“Tom came in as the HI-EMA administrator at a critical point for our state and he did an amazing job in a very short time,” said Hara. “Tom restored confidence following successful responses to disasters in 2018.”

In 2018, Travis led HI-EMA in the face of historic rains that swept over the counties of Kaua’i and East Oʻahu causing severe flooding and mudslides. Kīlauea erupted with lava flows that resulted in the devastation of over 700 homes. During the same year the state also responded to Tropical Cyclones Lane and Olivia.

“It has been an honor to serve the people of Hawai’i and keep them safe,” said Travis. “I am certain I leave the well-being of our islands in more than capable hands.”

As HI-EMA’s Executive Officer, Meyers was responsible for administrative management, fiscal monitoring, legislative coordination, and disaster mitigation, as well as many other duties.

“Luke’s emergency management education, prior emergency management positions and experience gained as HI-EMA’s executive officer definitely prepared him for the challenging role as the administrator for HI-EMA,” said Hara.

Meyers’ professional experience includes several federal, state, local, and non-profit entities, including: the U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Islands Water Science, American Red Cross Mt. Rainier Chapter, FEMA Region X, Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, City of Bellevue as City Emergency Manager and City of Seattle as a Strategic Advisor. He has also served as a City Council member for the City of Edgewood, and a Board Member of the Mt. View-Edgewood Water Company.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to lead the Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency,” Meyers said. “There is a solid team in place and Tom has established a strong foundation for our State Emergency Management Program. I look forward to strengthening the resilience and disaster preparedness for Hawai’i.”

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Media Contact:
MAJ (RET) Jeff Hickman
Director, Public Affairs
State of Hawai‘i, Dept. of Defense
808-441-7000
[email protected]