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From: Curtis Beck
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2025 4:15 PM cC fl
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To: Council Testimony z�-r=
Subject: Bill 64 Testimony �--i
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Hello,
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I plan to be at the Hilo Council Chambers tomorrow to remotely provide oral testimony to Theo est��
Hawaii meeting of the County Council. Please be advised that I have a doctor appointment at the
Ponahawai Medical Center at 10:00, and so request that either I can provide my oral testimony prior to
about 9:45 or after I return from my appointment (about 11:00 AM). If can ... mahalo. In any case here is a
written version of my testimony.
"Hello, my name is Curtis Beck, P.E., I am a licensed professional engineer in Hawaii and have been licensed
continuously here since 1984, although recently retired. I am opposed to Bill 64 as currently written. I and
other professional engineers have in the past opposed measures that would significantly weaken the
engineering credentials requirements for the office of Director. While some have said the opposition of
engineering professionals is only self-serving, it is actually grounded in the innate public service orientation
and public safety focus of PE's. "To place service before profit, the honor and standing of my profession before
personal advantage, and the public welfare above all other considerations" is the heart of the Engineers
Creed, known and frequently recited by millions of engineers across the United States and Canada.
Local Hawaii Island engineers, some present today for this meeting, have engaged the Mayor, the County
Council, and the Director of Public Works both formally and informally on this issue over the years. We are
aware of and understand the difficulties which the County has encountered in the past finding PE's to fill the
Director position. However Bill 64 goes too far expanding the pool of eligibility, and would enhance the risk.
that critical engineering judgement of engineers, both employed and contracted by Hawaii County, could be
overruled for non -engineering reasons and result in adverse consequences for the public. Many documented
cases of this unfortunate circumstance exist across the nation at state and county levels.
We have prepared amendments to the draft of Bill 64 that address the desire to enlarge the potential pool of
qualified candidates while ensuring that the successful Director hire has the qualities that will promote the
thorough inclusion of engineering skills and focus to safely serve the public welfare, while also minimizing the
risk of wrongful overruling of engineers in critical decisions.
Please, therefore, hold off moving Bill 64 forward until you have a chance to consider these
amendments. Mahalo."
Curtis Beck, P.E., Retired, License No.5511
Hilo resident since 1979
Comm. Nos 31.3-
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Ref. DoteNJUN17 203