(BIVN) – Hawaiʻi County has hired a new Recovery Officer, who will help lead and coordinate the County’s disaster recovery operations and oversee community engagement.
On Friday, the office of Hawaiʻi County Mayor Alameda announced Hilo-resident Kanani Aton will begin the job on Monday, November 2.
Aton was most recently Senior Project Manager for the Kamehameha Schools ʻŌiwi Leadership Institute. She has previously worked fir the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency as a Public Information and Disaster Recovery Specialist. Before that she served as a Public Information and Education Specialist with the County Department of Water Supply.
Most recently, Aton served as a volunteer in support of the County’s Nāʻālehu Cemetery recovery effort.
According to the Office of the Mayor:
This new position aligns with Bill 157 adopted by the County Council. While the legislation calls for a recovery officer to serve for the duration of a recovery operation following a disaster, Mayor Kimo Alameda made the role a permanent position within the administration to ensure continuity, effective coordination between agencies, and responsible long-term planning in support of residents and communities.
“As we have seen with the numerous disasters that have happened this year — from the Kona low storms through Hurricane Lala — recovery planning is not limited to a single event,” said Mayor Alameda in a news release. “It requires year-round commitment, and we are excited to welcome Kanani Aton, who has the experience and knowledge needed to ensure that our island always comes back stronger than before.”
“From the start, our administration has made it a priority to improve disaster response and recovery – including coordination between government agencies, nonprofits and the community – and Kanani will play a key part in that effort,” Mayor Alameda added.
“I appreciate Mayor Alameda’s leadership in making community voice a cornerstone of recovery,” Aton stated. “My focus will be coordinating the efforts of County departments, State and Federal partners, and affected communities to deliver a recovery that is well organized, inclusive, and builds long-term resilience for Hawaiʻi Island.”
