HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0038.013 2020-2022 i
From: mak221
Sent: Friday, January 15, 2021 7:50 AM
To: Council Testimony; Chung, Aaron; David, Maile; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Kierkiewicz,
Ashley; Kimball, Heather; Lee Loy, Sue; Inaba, Holeka; Richards, Tim; Villegas, Rebecca
Subject: Testimony on concerns about Ikaika Rodenhurst
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Testimony about Ikaika Rodenhurst COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAIII
RECEIVED
Mark Koppel Time 1,'50 afA, -
Urnauma Date ,IAN 15 2021
Aloha Fionored Council Members:
Father than burden you With a rehash, I Will endorse all of this testimony:
Although Ikaika Rodenhurst is a respected engineer and community member, he does not appear to be the right choice for
Public Works Director.
First, he does not appear to have administrative experience in government or private business. The County Charter requires
that the director have "...a minimum of five years of experience in an administrative capacity." (section 6-2.2)
The Charter Commission, and voters,judged the administrative requirement to be so important that they voted to add it to the
Charter in 2000. (1)
Second, the Public Works Director is responsible for seeing that individuals and businesses comply with regulations aimed
at preventing hazardous construction, preventing flooding and erosion, and protecting the environment. However, at times
people find the regulations onerous and seek to circumvent them.
Enforcing these regulations may put Mr. Rodenhurst in the uncomfortable position of making life more difficult for many
businesses and individuals who made large donations to his campaign for County Council. or he might have to recuse
himself from so many actions that he could not fulfil his director responsibilities.
Campaign donations from business interests included $4,000 from out-of-state addresses, $12,500 from o'ahu, and almost
$11,000 from Hawai'i Island. (2)
It appears Mr. Rodenhurst did not attract any financial support or endorsements from local organizations concerned about
protecting the environment—while his opponent was endorsed by three such organizations. (3)
As we weigh proposals for more development, the playing field needs to be level for those of us who are working to protect our
environment and a sustainable green economy.
Mahalo
Mark Koppel
Umauma tt
Comm. No. �• 1�
Ref. Tofltounal
Ref. Pate JAN 1 9 2021
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