About Us
Our Mission
The Office of Recovery and Resiliency (HI-ORR) leads with commitment and coordination to strengthen the state’s capacity to recover from disasters and build lasting resilience. We work in partnership with communities, government agencies, and leaders across all levels to ensure a unified and forward-looking approach to recovery—one that honors Hawaiʻi’s people, culture, and ʻāina. Our mission is to restore not only what was lost, but to rebuild stronger—revitalizing economic prosperity, restoring quality of life, and creating a more resilient Hawaiʻi for generations to come.
Meet the Team
DAVID LOPEZ
State Disaster Relief Coordinator
Mr. Lopez brings over 30 years of crisis management experience, much of it in overseas high-threat environments. For the past 9 years, he has served with the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), holding several key leadership roles including Branch Chief and Executive Officer. Most recently, he served as the senior HI-EMA representative on Maui, supporting response and recovery efforts for the August 2023 wildfires.
[email protected] • 808-459-2151
SOPHIA MORTAZAVI
Recovery Legislature Liaison
Sophia is an experienced public policy and disaster recovery professional with a background in U.S. government and political strategy. She has served at the state Department of Defense in emergency response for the Maui wildfires and continues serving in recovery efforts at HI-ORR. Sophia’s political experience includes political campaign coordination and strategizing for state and national candidates. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and U.S. National Security from Christopher Newport University and a Master’s degree from the University of Westminster in International Security and International Relations.
[email protected] • 808-459-2684
MATTHEW BALDWIN
Recovery and Resilience Grants Coordinator
Matt worked for the University of Hawaii system for 15 years on Oahu and Hawaii island in educational technology. During the pandemic, Matt completed a Master of Infrastructure Planning and Management (MIPM) from University of Washington, along with certificates in Energy Science and Emergency Management from University of Hawaii. Matt was a FEMA local hire on Maui in early 2024 for the response to the 2023 wildfire before joining the HI-ORR team. Matt is a third generation Eagle Scout.
[email protected] • 808-397-1176
YVETTE LEE NAKASHIMA
Recovery Administrative Coordinator
Yvette brings nearly three decades of government service and experience as a first responder, she brings a human-centered approach to crisis recovery and public service. Yvette holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University Global Campus and recently earned a certificate in Public Sector Leadership from Cornell University. An IPMA-SCP certified professional and 2022 Emerging Leader awardee, she is committed to building a better future for Hawaiʻi through collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking leadership.
[email protected] • 808-761-5430
SHANE SEGGAR
Recovery Operations Coordinator
Shane has over 14 years of service in the Hawai‘i National Guard and a background in emergency management, logistics, and interagency coordination, he supports statewide recovery strategy development, continuity planning, and operational integration across agencies. Shane brings experience from real-world disaster response efforts, including the 2023 Maui Wildfires, and is committed to working with all agencies to build resilient systems and sustainable recovery frameworks that support Hawai‘i’s communities.
[email protected] • 808-679-2303