Laserfiche WebLink
<br />201 Merchant Street, Suite 1900 <br />Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-2926 <br />Telephone: (808) 521-0306 <br />email@grayhongnojima.com <br />www.grayhongnojima.com <br />June 6, 2019 <br />E-MAILED TESTIMONY TO: charter.commission@hawaiicounty.gov <br />Hearing Date: Friday, June 7, 2019 9:00 am, Council Chambers Room 1401 <br />Hawaii County Charter Commission <br />Subject:CA-26, Proposal to Amend Section 6-2.2 <br />Dear Honorable Members of the Hawaii County Charter Commission, <br />I am writing in regards to CA-26, Draft 3 for Second and Final Reading; Proposal to amend Section 6-2.2, relating <br />to Qualifications for the Director of the Department of Public Works submitted by Chair Adams, which proposes <br />the following: <br />Remove the requirement that the Director be a registered professional engineer, <br />Add that the five years of administrative experience to be eligible for appointment as Director be related to <br />ment of Public Works, and <br />the powers, duties, and functions of the Depart <br />Add the requirement that candidates possess a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the powers, duties, and <br />functions of the Department of Public Works. <br />I would like t <br />o submit written testimony in opposition of the proposed CA-26 Draft for amending the County of <br />Hawaii Charter. A registered professional engineer (PE) is ethically obligated to protect the health, safety, and <br />welfare of the public, and must always put the public’s interest before all others, including personal, company, <br />organizational, or political. It is essential that the Public Works Director take this into account when evaluating <br />critical issues that affect our community, the well-being of our residents, the built environment, and our natural <br />resources. With the requirement for licensure waived, the County would potentially compromise the important <br />decision-making process at high levels. <br />Thank you very much for your time and your consideration. <br />We appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony regarding CA-26. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you <br />have any questions regarding our testimony. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />GRAY, HONG, NOJIMA & ASSOCIATES, INC. <br />Sheryl E. Nojima, PhD, PE <br />President <br />