Benedict Fuata ’83, a Hawaii Army National Guard colonel, was selected as the next civil defense administrator for the County of Hawaii. 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.

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 Hawaii Island. He also serves as a board member for the Hawaii Island Home for Recovery.