Francis Kau has been selected as the new deputy administrator of the County Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

Kau will work with MEMA Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett in overseeing the agency’s day-to-day operations, emergency preparedness and response efforts, and coordination with county, state, federal and community partners.

“Francis Kau brings a tremendous depth of experience in emergency management, disaster response and recovery, along with a strong understanding of Maui County and the needs of our community,” said Mayor Richard Bissen. “His work following the 2023 Maui Wildfires, his experience coordinating with federal, state and community partners, and his previous leadership with the County give him a unique perspective as he steps into this role.”

Lonokailua-Hewett said Kau’s extensive experience also encompasses government operations and organizational leadership.

“Francis has a strong commitment to serving our community before, during and after disasters,” Lonokailua-Hewett said. “His experience and leadership will be an asset to our team as MEMA continues strengthening its capabilities and building a more prepared and resilient Maui County.”

Kau has decades of public- and private-sector leadership experience, including extensive work in emergency management, disaster response and recovery.

Most recently, Kau served with the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency as an emergency management lead in resilience and logistics. In that role, he managed and coordinated programs supporting statewide disaster preparedness and helped develop emergency response and recovery plans and procedures. Following the August 2023 Maui Wildfires, Kau helped plan, manage and operate five disaster recovery centers, coordinating with federal, state and nongovernmental agencies.

Kau served as County of Maui First Assistant to the Managing Director in the Office of the Mayor from 2007 to 2009. In that role, he worked with county departments and agencies, assisted the county emergency manager during emergencies and served as a county liaison with state and federal partners during disaster activations. He later served as assistant administrator of the County of Maui Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing.

His disaster recovery experience also includes serving as regional manager for Pacific Islands services with Adjusters International, where he managed post-disaster operations involving individual assistance, public assistance, hazard mitigation and long-term recovery. He also worked in all-hazards debris management and disaster recovery operations with Ceres Environmental Services.

Kau is a former U.S. Army officer who held a variety of command and staff leadership positions during his military career. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Chaminade University of Honolulu and has completed extensive military and Federal Emergency Management Agency training.

“As someone who has worked in emergency management and public service for many years, I understand how important preparation, coordination and strong relationships are to protecting our communities,” Kau said. “I am honored to join MEMA and look forward to working alongside its dedicated team and partners to strengthen readiness and serve the people of Maui County.”

Kau succeeds Peter “Kono” Davis, who as MEMA deputy administrator helped guide the agency through a period of significant growth and continued expansion of Maui County’s emergency management capabilities. Davis, a retired Maui Fire Department firefighter of 30 years, will remain with MEMA during the leadership transition before returning to retirement in the coming months.

MEMA coordinates emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts for Maui County in partnership with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses and the community.

For more information about MEMA and emergency preparedness resources, visit www.mauicounty.gov/MEMA.

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