Big Island Committee Update and More
Aloha ACECH Members,
Last month, I mentioned that we would begin highlighting the work of one of our committees each month to give members a better sense of what is happening across ACECH. This month, I’d like to start with our Hawaiʻi County Committee, chaired by Bruce Meyers and co-chair Michelle Sorensen.
One area of continued focus for the Hawaiʻi County Committee has been student outreach. The Committee has been working with Waiākea High School through the Engineering Sector Partnership program to help students better understand the role of engineering in everyday life and the range of career opportunities available in our profession. The committee has created opportunities for ACECH members to speak with high school freshmen as they consider which high school academy to pursue and have also met with upperclassmen who are considering engineering as a career.
The Committee has also continued its outreach to Hawaiʻi County agencies. At its August meeting, Department of Environmental Management Director Dan Girvan joined the group to provide an update on current capital improvement efforts, including the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation and Repairs Project and the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant R-1 Project. The discussion also gave members an opportunity to share private-sector perspectives on Department policies and challenges. Director Girvan has agreed to speak at an upcoming Hawaiʻi Island General Membership Meeting, and the Committee continues to look for similar opportunities to engage other County leaders.
Beyond ACECH, the Committee has been working with the Hawaiʻi Society of Professional Engineers to broaden participation in engineering activities on Hawaiʻi Island. Their discussions have included collaborating on Engineers Week activities, bringing back the Mayor’s Engineers Week Proclamation, and creating more opportunities for engineers across the island to participate in professional and social events.
Recent severe weather on Hawaiʻi Island has also been a reminder of the important role engineers play in community recovery and resiliency. Communities in Pāhala, Nā‘ālehu, and Wai‘ōhinu have experienced significant damage to homes and infrastructure this year, as well as loss of life. While immediate response efforts focus on restoring access, utilities, and essential services, longer-term recovery will require engineering expertise and sustained coordination among government, consultants, contractors, and the community. ACECH member firms have been and will continue to be part of those efforts.
Mahalo to Bruce, Michelle, and the members of the Hawaiʻi County Committee for the work they are doing to support students, strengthen relationships with local agencies, and serve the Hawaiʻi Island community.
I also want to recognize the legacy of ACECH Past President Lester Fukuda. We recently shared ASCE Hawaiʻi’s call for support of the Lester Fukuda Engineering Scholarship, and mahalo to those within our membership who contributed. Beyond being an all-around nice person, Lester played an important role in advocating for our members, particularly on legislative matters and advancing the importance of Qualifications-Based Selection within our industry. It is fitting to see his legacy carried forward through support for future engineers in Hawaiʻi.
Session 2 of our Engineering the Business workshop series shifted the focus to People, Teams, and Firm Culture. ACECH Past President John Katahira and Dawn Szewczyk of member firm HDR shared their perspectives on how firms organize and retain talent, technical and management career paths, performance reviews and promotions, and the challenges of burnout, retention, and workplace culture. Mahalo to John and Dawn for sharing their experience and perspectives with our participants.
Taken together, these efforts reflect an important part of our Strategic Plan—cultivating a strong business environment by investing in professional development, strengthening our talent pipeline, building relationships across the industry, and creating opportunities for our firms and people to grow.
There are many ways that work takes shape across ACECH, and I look forward to continuing to share more of what our committees and members are doing throughout the year.
Mahalo,
Kealohi Sandefur, P.E.
President, ACEC Hawaii