HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0038.007 2020-2022 P/w1c,
COW
Lanihau Properties,
P.O. Bor 9032
Kai[uca-Kpna, 7fI96745
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Phone: (808)936-7129 4 Ea,;: (808)329-8044
Eniad rsmztfi(0hnrlau.net
January 4, 2021
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Sue Leeloy, Chair; Committee on Public Works & Mass Transit _
wile David, Council Chair
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Members of the County Council
E: Letter of Support, S. Ikaika Rodenhurst, PE
Director of the Department of Public Works g w
Aloha, my name is Riley W. Smith, P.E. I am writing in support of Ikaikp
Rodenhurst, P.E. as the Director of the Department of Public Works.
For your info, I was on the interview panel that reviewed the applications
for this position and made our unanimous recommendation to Mayor
Mitch Roth. As additional info, I was the former Deputy Chief Engineer,
for the Department of Public works (1993 to 1995) under Mayor Stephen
Yamashiro.
My reasons for recommending that you confirm Mr. Rodenhurst for this
position include:
1. He interviewed very well. He was thoughtful, deliberate and clear
in his discussion with us. He admitted that at his young age (mid-
thirties?) he lacks extensive administrative and management
experience, over direct subordinates. However, in our discussion
with him, he clarified that he does have extensive experience in
dealing with government agencies (State DOT, State DOE, County
DPW), clients and members of the community, while performing his
construction administration responsibilities at Bowers + Kubota.
We felt this enabled him to meet the minimum qualifications of the
position. During our time, he also was able to convey his passion
for the job and the challenges that it presents.
2. He embraces the importance of family and balance in life and the
requirements of the position. He regularly alluded to his past
football experience (Oregon State and University of Hawaii,
Division 1) and how he welcomes challenges, his ability to relate to
people (even those older than him), work with their strengths,
support their weaker skill sets, in order to accomplish the tasks at
hand. Comm. No. Jg.1
Ref. To: P IPIN G
Ref. Dote m 2021
3. He mentioned that in his current position (Construction Manager,
Bowers + Kubota), he is constantly assessing risks and working to
minimize them, as he is able to, and then mitigate negative
consequences for those risks he does take on.
4. He is smart, articulate and clear in his responses. He appears to
have a systematic means of diagnosing issues and a collaborative
approach to working on solutions to problems. One of his
interesting traits; he always asked at the end of each response
"...did I answer your question, can I elaborate on anything that I
wasn't clear on". We thought that was a real mature means of
showing that he cares and is sincere in his communications. For a
physically big person, he didn't seem to try to "push" his point, he
was just persistent in his responses.
5. Subsequent to our interview with Mr. Rodenhurst (mid December),
he asked our panel to also interview for his Deputy at Public
Works. In my call back to him, I asked what he was looking for in a
Deputy. I wanted to know whether he wanted to hire someone who
knew what he already did, or whether he wanted to hire someone
that would complement his strengths, back him up where he had
less experience, and hopefully someone that would be based in
West Hawaii and be able to meet with and support the Mayor's
goals for our entire island community. He gave me the "right/latter"
answer. I knew when he provided this response, that he was
humble, was eager to learn and wanted to benefit from what others
knew, that he didn't. For this reason, we also unanimously
recommended he hire Merrick Nishimoto, for the Deputy position.
For these reasons and based on our one-hour interview with Mr.
Rodenhurst (and my numerous phone calls with him since), I
recommend that you confirm him as the Director for the Department of
Public Works.
Should you have any questions that you'd like to discuss, I can be
reached at rsmLith§_1anihau.net or call me at (808) 936-7129.
Very truly yours,
1 moi'
Riley W. Smith, P.E.
President/Chief Executive Officer