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INABA ENGINEERING, INC.
CIVIL ENGINEERING ■ LAND SURVEYING
273 WAIANUENUE AVENUE
HILO, HAWAII 96720
October 7, 2025
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Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chairperson
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Hawaii County Council
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Office of the County Clerk
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25 Aupuni Street
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Hilo, Hawaii 96720
via email: counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov�
Subject: Bill 64, (Draft 2) Eliminate the requirement that the Director of Public Works be a licensed
Professional Engineer (PE).
Amendment to Section 6-2.2 - Director.
Honorable Members of the Hawaii County Council,
I am submitting written testimony in opposition of Bill 64 (Draft 2) which continues to remove the
requirement that the Director of Public Works be a registered (Licensed) professional engineer.
Draft 2 does not address professional engineering concerns regarding licensure requirements for the
Director. Providing a list of non-professional requirements for the Director and adding licensure
requirements for the Deputy does not solve the Directors need to be licensed. Historically, both the
Director and the Deputy would be licensed engineers should any one of them be not available.
The Director oversees the Department of Public Works which is staffed with many professional engineers
who are responsible for oversight, planning, design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure
projects such as subdivisions, roadways, bridges, drainage works, traffic safety, and other public facilities.
A licensed professional engineer is ethically obligated to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the
public, putting public interest before personal, company, organizational, and political interests. This is how
a public works director should evaluate critical issues that affect our. community well-being.
Professional licensure will assure a level of educational qualifications and competency based on a breadth
of sound technical engineering knowledge and experience necessary to fulfill the requirements of being a
Director of the Department Public Works. Educational degrees other than accredited engineering
disciplines should not be considered acceptable alternates for this important position.
The requirement for the Director of Public Works to be a licensed professional engineer should not be
removed for convenience.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony on this item.
Very truly yours,
INABA ENGINEERING, INC.
aso K.Inaba, P.E.
President
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