HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0046.037 2024-2026ma -
From: Elizabeth Dunn
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2025 11:32 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Wesley Segawa Appointment for Environmental Management
Aloha County Council:
Please do not appoint Welsey Segawa as the Department of Environmental Management. He has no
direct relevant experience in dealing with the operation of wastewater treatment plants. It is ill-
founded to believe this candidate will magically obtain the experience to understand this field, and it's
unconscionable to put someone in charge of a Department with an active lawsuit regarding the
Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Equally, it's troubling to learn of Mr. Segawa's past felony conviction for money laundering and
violations of campaign finance law. This background information is artfully discussed in an email
submitted by Maki Morinoue about Mr. Segawa's past relationship with the County of Hawaii.
I am concerned about this statement in the January 24, 2025 edition of Big Island Now where, "the
County will ask the Board of Ethics to provide Segawa with guidance going forward regarding his
private activity through an informal opinion". This sure sounds like an example of favoritism to a
candidate for a Department head position that is critically important to this island and the issue of
cesspool conversions.
I do not support a person who is not qualified in all aspects of the position for the De[artment of
Environmental Management.
Please do the right thing, and direct the new Mayor to seek another candidate, and one who is
qualified for this critical position.
Mahalo.
Elizabeth Dunn
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