Forward progress on policy revising the prerequisites for the role of Public Works director
In a recent development, a proposed amendment to the Hawaii County Charter is causing a stir among council members. The amendment, if adopted, would alter the qualifications for the Director of Public Works.
Councilwoman Heather Kimball has expressed concerns about the proposed changes, particularly the ability of the administrator to override an engineering decision. Kimball cites examples of costly, damaging, or dangerous decisions made when an engineer's recommendation was not followed.
Under the proposed amendment, the Director of Public Works would need a minimum of five years of administrative or managerial experience, with at least two years in public works, construction, or a related field, and a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline or a law degree from an accredited institution. However, the position would no longer require the individual to be a licensed engineer.
The deputy director, as proposed, would assume responsibility over the department's engineering functions if the director does not hold that credential. The bill also proposes the addition of a deputy director for the Public Works department.
Councilman Dennis Onishi, who is proposing the amendment, plans to make further changes. He intends to remove the requirement for the deputy director to be a licensed professional engineer and the timeline for the administration to appoint the director.
The committee voted 5-3 to move the bill to the full council with a favorable recommendation. Councilwomen Jennifer Kagiwada, Michelle Galimba, and Kimball cast the dissenting votes.
Councilman Onishi's support for the current Director of Public Works, who is not required to be a licensed engineer, is evident. He claims that permits are being issued faster and more roads are being paved under their leadership.
However, Kimball references a specific infrastructure project, Kalanianaole Avenue, where she suggests that having professionally licensed engineers did not prevent problems, as the project led to a partial closure for five years.
If adopted by the full council, the charter amendment would be placed on the 2026 general election ballot for voter approval. It's a significant change that could reshape the leadership of Hawaii County's Public Works department, and the debate is far from over.
As the discussion continues, Councilman Onishi's proposed amendments and the concerns of council members like Kimball will shape the future of the Public Works department in Hawaii County. The search results do not contain information about the current head of Hawaii County Public Works, their lack of an engineering degree, or their predecessors in this position.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
