HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0046.082 2024-2026From: Tanya Anne
Sent: Wednesday, January 29 202511:01 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Oppose the nomination of Wesley Segawa
Aloha Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi, and Members of the County Council,
| write tmyou today tooppose the nomination ofWesley Segawa aGDirector ofthe Department of �
Environmental Management (DEM). Primarily, it is Mr. Segawa's $4M county contract that concerns me,
as this kind ofconflict of interest undermines the public's trust in the new administration and
governrnentaouounLabiUty'
|naddition tothis conflict ufinterest, however, | feet that Mr. Segawa did not demonstrate how his
expertise and vision can address the County's preparedness to meet environmental chattenges during
the January 7, 2025 County CounciL meeting. The lack of community -directed environmental
management practices has led to critical disasters we face today, and not only from a literal standpoint,
but also from public heatth, public safety and public relations perspectives. This position will. be under
the microscope at best over the next many years, and building public trust is of the utmost importance.
So of course, though many years ago, though I like to think that peopLe can change, we cannot overlook
Mr. 8egavvo`mfelony conviction for money laundering and his violations of campaign finance kavva. In
2004, Segawa pleaded no contest to Laundering over $60,000 in iLLegat campaign donations to muftipte
politicians, including Mayor Jeremy Harris. His engineering firm, Westey R. Segawa and Associates, was
fined$53'5OOfor these i8egoicontributions. This iawhat | found inuairnpieGoug|e search:
official pleads no contest IThe
Honolulu Advertiser .Hawaii's
Newspaper
This imwhy, despite nlypersonal feeUngaregarding Mr. Segawa,inrelationship tothis appointment and in
consideration ofMr. Segavva'a
- Conflict of Interest as a current vendor with a four million dollar contract with the County,
- Recent inabiLity to ittustrate and articutate his vision and expertise in leading the Department of
Environrnenta\y4onagennent'
' Past history ofmoney laundering,
- Past history of disregarding transparency and own accountabitity of his actions, and
- Past history of attegations of mismanagement as chairman of the state pubLic housing agency,
I urge you to reject this nomination. We can do better.
The residents of Hawaii County deserve leadership and decision -making positions to be fitted by those
who have the expertise and talent in their field, who showcase their passion for the quality of people of
Hawaii and who stand for good governance: accountability, transparency, stewardship and instilling
public trust incivil service.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide my mana`o. Mahalo foryour time and attention on this critical
appointment, and for your service to our island community.
Tanya
Tanya Yamanaka Aynessazian
Hilo, HI 96720
Freedom lies in being bold. Robert Frost