Ed Teixeira, vice director of Hawaii State Civil Defense since 2000, resigned today, the state Department of Defense announced.

The vice director is responsible for coordinating day-to-day state emergency management and homeland security activities. The state adjutant general serves as the director of State Civil Defense.

"Ed Teixeira has been a dedicated, hardworking vice director and the state of Hawaii is far better prepared to meet the challenges of any natural disaster thanks to his efforts," said Maj. Gen. Darryll D.M. Wong, state adjutant general. "We wish him well as he begins a new chapter of his life."

Victor Gustafson, State Civil Defense plans and operations branch chief, will serve as interim vice director.

Teixeira began his service with Civil Defense in 1996 as a disaster assistance planner. He served as interim vice director beginning on Oct. 1, 1999 and was formally appointed to the position on Jan. 10, 2000.