HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0334.031 2024-2026P /GQFAG
-NI 94
COUNTY CLERK C40HH.2554
COUNTY OF HAWAi;
Via Email: counciltestimonyPco hawaii hi us
2625 SEP 16 ilPl 4. 13
September 14, 2025
Honorable Chairman Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba and Members of the Hawai'i County Council
Dear Chairman Inaba and County Council Members,
Thank you for the opportunity to present this testimony on Bill No. 64, AN ORDINANCE TO INITIATE
AN AMENDMENTTO ARTICLE VI, CHAPTER 2, SECTION 6-2.2, OF THE CHARTER OF THE COUNTY
OF HAWAI'I (2024 EDITION), RELATING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.
I am writing to oppose the proposed Charter Amendment. I am a licensed professional engineer
with over 40 years of experience. I have been involved with the design and construction of many
county infrastructure projects and have interfaced with the Department of Public Works including
the Director of Public Works on numerous projects. I have also worked with the County of Hawaii
Department of Public Works as a project liaison for roadway projects so am very familiar with the
roles and function of the Director of Public Works and can testify with certainty that it is critical that
the Director of Public Works be a registered professional engineer who has been through rigorous
training and has demonstrated knowledge of fundamental engineering principles by passing both
the Fundamentals of Engineering and Professional Engineering examinations. In addition, the
Engineer's Code of Ethics states that in the fulfillment of their professional duties they hold
paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.
The bill as introduced would allow non -engineers to hold the position of Director of Public Works if
they hold a bachelor's degree in "architecture, business, public administration, or a related
discipline or be an attorney....:' This basically opens up the position to almost anyone with a
college degree. There is no requirement for any technical training or code of ethics in running a
department that requires technical knowledge to administer public funds for infrastructure
projects. The County Council should strive to provide the best possible governance to the citizens
of the County of Hawaii. That includes assuring that employees such as the Director of Public
Works are highly qualified to make the crucial decisions on infrastructure projects that provide for
the best possible outcomes regarding public health, safety and welfare. Whywould you want to
water down such a critical position to allow non -technical persons to make the final decisions on
highly technical matters? From what I read it appears that the complaint is mainly that the Mayor is
having difficultyfinding a candidate that he likes. Just because something is difficult doesn't mean
we should lower our standards. The people of the County of Hawaii deserve better.
Sincerely,
Nancy E Burns, P.E.
� 7
Comm.
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Ref. Dater GJ25