HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0334.053 2024-2026C"Cll
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From: Donald Rudny
Sent: Monday, August 4, 2025 2:53 PM
To: Inaba, Holeka; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca;
Kagiwada, Jennifer, Galimba, Michelle M.; Kimball, Heather, Hustace, James; Onishi,
Dennis; Council Testimony
Cc: Alameda, Christian (Kimo)
Subject: Comm. 334.12 and Bill 64 (Opposed)
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Aloha Honorable Council Members,
I am writing in strong opposition to Communication 334.12, which seeks reconsideration of-t e y
Council's recent vote on Bill 64 — a bill that removes the requirement of a Professional Engneoi
(PE) license for the position of Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW). w -
Reconsidering this vote sends the wrong message. It undermines public trust and gives the
appearance of behind -the -scenes maneuvering to benefit a candidate who does not meet the existing
professional standards. As I shared in my previous testimony, the PE license is essential — not just
as a credential, but as a safeguard for public safety, professional accountability, and technical
competence.
Testimony in support of Bill 64 has argued that the broad nature of engineering disciplines renders
the PE requirement unnecessary. But that misses the point. Licensing exists across professions,
including medicine and law, to ensure minimum standards of knowledge and ethical responsibility.
Rather than eliminating the PE requirement, the qualification should be refined, not relaxed. I
recommend strengthening the language by specifying a degree in Civil Engineering in addition to
holding a PE license.
Opening the position to individuals with unrelated or loosely related backgrounds, potentially even
attorneys, is not in the best interest of sound infrastructure planning and execution.
Whether this reconsideration is being driven by an intent to appoint an unqualified individual, I cannot
say. But advancing such a change in the face of clear public opposition and sound professional
reasoning reflects poorly on our commitment to raising standards in County leadership.
I urge you to reject this request for reconsideration; or, if you do revisit the issue, amend the
qualifications to require both a Civil Engineering degree and a PE license.
Comm. No.
Ref. To: P C�u�G L
Ref. Date
Mahalo for you time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Don Rudny P.E. (License No. PE-12256)
P.O. Box 106
Pepeekeo, HI 96783-0106
312-209-5870