HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0334.021 2024-2026ACEC
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES
of Hawaii
2025-2026 Board of Directors
President
Charles Jury, P.E.
Okahara and Associates, Inc.
Ph: (808) 524-1224
President -Elect
Kenichi Sandefur, P.E.
Yogi Kwong Engineers
Ph: (808) 942-0001
Treasurer
Tim Goshi, P.E.
KAI Hawaii, Inc.
Ph: (808) 791-3966
Secretary
George Takase, P.E.
Ronald N.S. Ho & Associates
Ph: (608) 941-0577
Past President
Shannon Holman, P.E.
Orion Engineers &Associates
Ph: (808) 282-7986
National Director
Nimr Tamimi, P.E.
Engineering Partners
Ph: (808) 930-7823
Directors
Dayna Nemoto-Shima, P.E.
Pacific Geotechnical Engineers
Ph: (808) 678-8024
Simone Simbeck
Haley & Aldrich
Ph: (808) 369-0729
Ginny M. Wright
ACECH Executive Director
350 Ward Ave. Ste. #106-83
Honolulu, HI 96814
Ph: (808) 741-4772
Email: gwright@acechawaii.org
Website: wvPmacechawaii.org
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COUNTY CLERK bill i
COUNTY OF HAWAI!
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2025 AUG 29 All 10: 18
August 28, 2025
Council of the County of Hawaii
Subject: Bill 64 — Amendment of Qualifications for the Director of Public Works
Providing Testimony in Opposition
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii (ACECH)
represents more than 68 member firms with over 2,000 employees throughout
Hawaii.
ACECH OPPOSES the proposal to amend Article VI, chapter 2, section 6-2.2, of the Charter of
the County of Hawaii. The Director of Public Works manages infrastructure and publc
services, including solid waste, water, streets, sidewalks, transporation, and public buildings,
ensuring safe and accessible facilities for the public. Registered Professional Engineers (P.E.)
are educated, trained, tested and held accountable by state law (HRS Chapter 464) to safeguard
the public. They are also ethically obiligated to protect the health, safety, and welfare of public,
and must always put the public's interest before all others, including personal, company,
organizational, or political.
Users of public works infrastructure do not get to choose who builds the infrastructure, such as
bridges and roads they drive on everyday. They rely on lawmakers to ensure their safety
through licensing standards. For these reasons and based on the responsibilities and authority of
the Director of Public Works, ACECH urges the Council to maintain the requirement that the
director shall be a registered professional engineer.
Respectfully submitted,
Ab,ERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES OF HAWAII
CAatles,!PE.
President
a
Comm. o L7J 4I
Ref. To:
Ref. Date SEP - 2 2025