Potential adjustments to requirements for Public Works director position
Hawaii County Council Ponders Changes to Public Works Director Qualifications
The Hawaii County Council is currently reviewing Bill 64, a measure that seeks to amend the County Charter to more clearly define the educational and professional requirements for the director of the Public Works Department.
Tuesday, Bill 64 was again reviewed by the committee. The bill, which was initially postponed to July 8 and later forwarded to the full council with a negative recommendation, has sparked debate among council members.
If approved by a majority of voters in the 2026 general election, the changes would take effect and be part of the county's regular review and update process for its charter.
Under the proposed amendment, candidates for the director position must hold a bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, public administration, a related discipline or law. They must also have at least five years of experience in an administrative or managerial role, with at least two years in public works, construction or a related field.
Currently, in the Department of Environmental Management, the director is not required to be licensed, but subordinate positions are. Some council members support the bill, while others have raised concerns about the proposed changes.
Councilwoman Michelle Galimba expressed opposition to Bill 64, while Councilwoman Heather Kimball stressed the importance of professional oversight in the engineering duties of the department. Councilman Dennis Onishi voiced concerns about the division of authority between a licensed professional and an appointed director who may not hold the same qualifications.
Councilman Hokuala Inaba motioned to postpone Bill 64 until the Sept. 16 meeting. He also requested to be included in meetings with professional engineers to discuss amendments to the bill. The committee voted 8-0 to postpone Bill 64.
The search results do not contain information about who organized meetings with professional engineers in the community to be involved in discussions about changes to Bill 64. On July 23, Bill 64 failed in the council due to five "no" votes.
However, a second amendment to Bill 64, with the contents of communication 334.16, was approved 6-2. The council voted 4-4 to amend Bill 64 with the contents of communication 334.17, with Councilman Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder absent.
Councilwoman Jenn Kagiwada raised concerns about potential internal conflicts within the Public Works Department due to the proposed changes. The bill was then referred back to the Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs for further consideration on Aug. 6.
The changes to Bill 64 are part of a broader effort to ensure that the director of the Public Works Department has the necessary qualifications to effectively manage the department and its responsibilities. The outcome of the review process will be closely watched by residents and stakeholders in the county.
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