HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0046.064 2024-2026From: Bruce
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2025 10:55 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Letter of Support for Wesley Segawa as Director of Environmental Management
My name is Bruce Meyers. I am a licensed Civil Engineer in the State of Hawaii and have practiced
consulting engineering for the past 35 years, including as president of Okahara and Associates, Inc. for the
past 12 years. Having worked with Mr. Segawa off and on over the years, I have found him to be a person
of integrity and a person who cares for the communities of Hawaii Island. As you well know, he has also
been successful in owning and operating his own engineering consulting business for the past forty years,
which is not easy. This is something I know about.
Mr. Segawa is very qualified to lead DEM. I believe he is the best person for the job of completing the
improvements to the Hilo and the Kealakehe WWTP's with the help of the DEM staff. My
understanding is that Mr. Segawa worked on the the design of the original Hilo WWTP. He is familiar
with many of the specifics of this site. While there are indeed aspects of this or any DEM project that
may go beyond his understanding, I do not think that it necessary for him to understand every
technical thing. As an administrator, he would have to trust his knowledgeable staff to give him the
important facts, look at other aspects such as compliance health and safety rules, budget restraints,
schedules, legal ramifications, etc., and make decisions that would be best for the communities of this
Island. I believe he has the experience, wisdom, and good judgement to make the right decisions. By
the way, I do think that he can understand most if not all the technical aspects associated with both
solid waste and wastewater.
I humbly ask you to support Mr. Segawa's appointment to lead DEM.
Thank you,
Bruce Meyers
485 F Kaumana Drive
Hilo Hawaii 96720