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<br />Merit Appeals Board March 20, 2026
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<br />MS. TOKIHIRO: So, it’s about 800 different position-type. So, we have over 3,000
<br />positions within the County, but we have 800—about 800 different classes. So, say for
<br />example, our “Accountants” or “Account Clerks”—that’s a class of work which may
<br />represent 20 different positions across the County in a variety of departments.
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<br />MR. AGUINALDO: Wow. And making amendments, like, say, qualifications is done
<br />internally—not with us, yeah? No—yeah, recommendation—no?
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<br />MS. TOKIHIRO: So, we would look at it—our Classification and Pay Division looks at it,
<br />but when we are amending class specifications, we’re doing that in consultation with all
<br />of the other jurisdictions within the State because we have equal pay for equal work.
<br />So, the classes of work are generally consistent across the State. We can have
<br />different minimum qualifications, but we try and keep that consistent with the other
<br />jurisdictions as well.
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<br />MR. AGUINALDO: Well, the reason why I asked is, like, my background is construction
<br />and, of course, former commissioner in another field—it’s more for, like—I love my
<br />County. And I look at where we’re at today as far as engaging with the community, and
<br />not comparing with other counties is more so—with HR, like, hiring.
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<br />Like, say—for what I look at is, like, more so on the Building Department side of
<br />things—like “Building Inspector,” Building—"Building Inspector,” “Plumbing Inspector,”
<br />Electrical. I’ve been hearing but I don’t know how true that there are some that has a
<br />contractor license. Now, for me, it’s a conflict of interest having that because I think the
<br />requirement, if I’m not mistaken—like plumbing or electrical is supervisory, but having
<br />your own, like, entity—like a business entity and working for the County—it may not
<br />seem like a conflict of interest, but you’re in the same department. So, that’s something
<br />that I want you guys to—just sharing—to look at because you don’t want something, a
<br />loophole or something, that might affect our County.
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<br />At the end of the day, there might be people struggling and we’ll do what it takes to do
<br />to get by because as far as that there, I know it was said, “Oh, it’s better that they have
<br />that qualification.” No. I think that’s conflicting having your own State of Hawaiʻi
<br />Contractor’s License versus just a supervisory.
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<br />I don’t know if how things change, I haven’t looked that long already—but the rule of
<br />thumb, like, past inspectors that retired would have stayed—very good, loyal, grassroots
<br />inspectors that they froze their contractor license because that was rule of thumb back
<br />then from the past, I guess—I forget what Administration—I think it was Warren Lee that
<br />time—made mention that, “No, you cannot.” And they’re so knowledgeable that they
<br />would have froze their license and maybe reactivate it later when they retire. And they
<br />left—and I still did have coffee sessions with these old-timers and they’re so good,
<br />‘cause they know how to engage with the community, they’re very fair.
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<br />Page 12
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