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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0334.041 2024-2026P 16CEAC 516q 60HH._0?3q From: Ikaika Rodenhurst Sent: Monday, September 15, 2025 2:10 PM To: Council Testimony, Kagiwada, Jennifer, Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Inaba, Holeka; Onishi, Dennis; Kimball, Heather, Kierkiewia, Ashley; Galimba, Michelle M.; Villegas, Rebecca; Hustace, James o c-) Subject: 9/16 GOAE Committee - Testimony in Opposition to Bill 64 CDr3 cm c� Aloha Committee Chair Kagiwada and Council Members, CD--< My name is Steven Ikaika Rodenhurst, professional engineer, member of the Hawaii SocieT ofw�;r. Professional Engineers, and former Director of Public Works for the County of Hawaii. I re"spectfuity submit this testimony in strong opposition to Bill 64, which proposes to remove the requirelbentthat the Director of the Department of Public Works hold a Professional Engineer (PE) license. The Department of Public Works oversees critical infrastructure —roads, bridges, and public facilities —that directly affects public safety. These responsibilities demand technical judgment, adherence to professional standards, and an ethical obligation to protect the public's health, safety, and welfare. A PE license is the public's assurance that the individual leading this department meets those standards of competency and accountability. It has been suggested that the PE requirement makes it difficult to recruit qualified candidates. The facts do not support this claim. According to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying's Squared 2024 report, civil engineering remains the largest discipline for licensure nationwide, with thousands of new engineers entering the profession each year. In Hawai'i alone over 3,100 Professional Engineers hold active resident licensees. This demonstrates a substantial pool of talent available to fill this role. Another argument is that engineers are slow to act or inclined to say no. In reality, Professional Engineers are legally and ethically bound to ensure safe and sustainable solutions. Their caution is not obstruction —it is protection. History has shown the consequences of overriding engineering judgment: the Challenger disaster, the levee failures in New Orleans, the Miami pedestrian bridge collapse in 2018, and the Berkman Plaza parking garage collapse in 2007. These tragedies underscore the importance of qualified oversight in public infrastructure. Bill 64 proposes shifting the PE requirement to the Deputy Director. This does not resolve the core concern. The Deputy does not have ultimate authority over budgets, staffing, or project approvals. That responsibility rests with the Director, and it should remain in the hands of a licensed Professional Engineer. Delegating technical oversight to a subordinate who lacks decision -making power is not a substitute for qualified leadership. Removing the licensure requirement opens the position to individuals with degrees in public administration or law. While these backgrounds offer valuable skills, they do not substitute for the rigorous training and accountability that come with engineering licensure. This shift could expose the county to legal liabilities if infrastructure failures occur under the leadership of an unlicensed director. Comm. Ref. To: Ref. Datel _ It also risks creating a disconnect between the county's internal standards and those required by state law and professional practice. Our residents deserve confidence that those overseeing public works are qualified to do so. Diluting professional standards may erode public trust in county leadership and infrastructure projects. The PE license is not just a credential —it is a commitment to public safety, ethical conduct, and technical excellence. Bill 64 represents a step backward in ensuring the safety, reliability, and accountability of our county's infrastructure. I urge the council to reject this bill and uphold the professional standards our community deserves. Mahalo for your time and consideration Steven Ikaika Rodenhurst, P.E.