Hawaii County committee amends, then postpones debate on bill removing PE requirement for public works director

Bill 64, which would change qualifications for the Hawaii County Department of Public Works director, was the focus of extended testimony and debate at the Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee meeting in Hilo.

The committee, chaired by Jen Kaguata, considered two competing amendments to the charter change that would remove a requirement that the director be a registered professional engineer (PE) and instead permit applicants with a bachelor'level degree in engineering, architecture, public administration or a law degree, plus specified managerial experience. After debate and amendment votes, the committee voted to postpone action on the amended bill to the committee meeting on Sept. 16.

Supporters of retaining a PE requirement and opponents of the bill said during public testimony and committee discussion that a licensed engineer's training and professional obligations protect public health and safety. Curtis Beck, PE, testified that removing the licensure requirement for the director would conflict with statutory requirements governing engineers and could compromise public safety. Former public works director Hugh Ono, who also…