James Buika

Jim Buika is the Coastal Resource Planner of the Planning Department in the county of Maui, Hawaii, from 2007-2025. He is a Professional Geologist who got his Master of Science from the University of Southern California. Buika has had Disaster Management experience since 1988, and Pacific Island Experience since 1990. He is a Professional Disaster Manager with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and a Regional Earthquake Specialist with FEMA Region 9, from 1988-2002. He is Hazard & Coastal Mitigation Planner, Post-Disaster Reconstruction Project Lead, Chairman of the Hawaii State Hazard Mitigation Forum, and Chairman of the School Community Council. Buika is an author of Facing Our Future: Adaptive Planning for Sea Level Rise in Maui and Hawaii Counties. Buika also leads Youth Leadership & Training Programs while boasting an impressive resume as project manager on over 20 Projects, 25 Professional Publications, and 2 Professional Memberships.