HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0046.001 2024-2026From:
Geo JeanAdanns
Sent:
Monday, January 20,ZOZ52:I0PM
To:
Council Testimony
Cc
Hustaue James; Kimball, Heather; Kagkwad4Jennifer
Subject:
Wesley Segawa as DEM Director
Testimony regarding Commrmumicatjun46:
APPOINTMENT OFWESLEY SEGAWA AS DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
| have not had the opportunity tomeet with Mr. Segawa yet, nor can heattend the Environmental.
Management Commission (EMC) meeting January 29, 2025 (my last meeting as chair), so I have Limited
information other than Communication 46 and watching the GOEAC meeting he[d January 7, 2025. My
conlrnentafoiiovv:
| have previously commented tOthe RAWEEMCin2OZ2when 8draft Biii245(ChUDg) was proposed tOb6
Less restrictive for the requirements for the DEM Director. At that time, the proposal. was to eliminate the
requirement for 8nengineering degree. | had Less issue with whether ornot the director has en
engineering degree (which Mr. Segawa satisfies) than with the lack of a requirement to be experienced in
the environmental management fietd. My testimony then stiL[ hoLds:
Given the smnaKKsize ofthe county DEM,VVeneed to have a handm-mn,technical expert who is
experienced in the environmental field (waste and/or wastewater psmferred),aswelt as
someone who has managerial experience imworking with emnptmyeem,contractors and policy -
makers to implement environmental regulations. The Director position is not simply am
administrative job, empeciaUKywhen itcomes toevatuating and monitoring mmuKti-nm&Nomclokiar
engineering contracts.
DEM is now even further understaffed with experts, managers and personnel in solid waste and
wastewater management tosupport the director. Furthermore, ithas become increasingly cka8rthat the
necessary approach toeffective environmental management iotohave integrated pmKioy and
operationat ptans that function across not only the varied geologic and demographic chatLenges of this
island, but also its potiticaL, Legal. and economic barriers. And climate change, too.
We need someone who has a "sustainabitity" mindset.
I believe the previous administration began Laying the foundational. vision in the wastewater arena,
including setting management procedures in pLace to ensure maintenance and operational discipLine to
foLl.ow both compliance (enforced by EPAAOCs) and service demands. But the work honing that vision
(i.e., the Integrated Wastewater Management Pl.an) is not done. In fact, it can never be done, as we must
continually adjust to new realities.
Not USmuch progress has been made iDinlpk3rOSndDg the |Dteg[@t8dSolid Waste M8nag8rO8DtPi@D
goals for waste reduction. Appropriately, wastewater is the county's top environmental priority due to its
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environmental, human and compliance risks. Nevertheless, improving solid waste management
efficiency and resource recovery vs disposal will all too soon become critical as our single Landfill fills up.
As you consider Westey Segawa's appointment, please evaluate his capability for appreciating and
managing the complex factors required for solid waste and wastewater on this island.
Mahato,
Georjean Adams
Kamueta, Hawaii
soon to be former chair of the EMC, member of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for2019 ISWMP,
Sustainability Summit 2024 Solid Waste Reduction steering committee member