Public Works, Environmental Management Director Appointees Announced

PHOTO: County of Maui / Chris Sugidono photos

Mayor Michael Victorino announced Monday afternoon that Rowena Dagdag-Andaya and Eric Nakagawa are his nominees as directors of the departments of Public Works and Environmental Management, respectively.

Of his appointees, Mayor Victorino said: “These two departments – Public Works and Environmental Management – are of vital importance to the people of Maui County, maintaining our roadways, wastewater system and managing solid waste. I’m confident that my appointees will provide outstanding service to our residents and visitors.”

Dagdag-Andaya has served as deputy Public Works director since 2011. She is a 1999 graduate of Gonzaga University. She replaces David Goode, who retired March 31. A deputy director for the department will be named at a later date.

If confirmed, Dagdag-Andaya would be the first female director of Maui County’s Department of Public Works.

Nakagawa takes the place of Michael Miyamoto, who resigned as of the close of business April 1 as director of the Department of Environmental Management for health reasons. Shayne Agawa remains as DEM deputy director.

Nakagawa has been the department’s Wastewater Reclamation Division chief since March 2011, and for 10 years before that he was a Maui County civil engineer with the division. In the private sector, he was a civil engineer with Warren S. Unemori Engineering Inc. from August 1994 to March 2001. Nakagawa has a bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering from Seattle University. He is a licensed and registered professional engineer.

Dagdag-Andaya and Nakagawa will be acting directors until the Maui County Council takes action on their nominations.

The Department of Public Works has three divisions (Highways, Engineering and Developmental Services Administration) and 285 employees. Its overall budget is $48.2 million in the current FY2019.

The Department of Environmental Management has three divisions (Wastewater Reclamation, Solid Waste and Environmental Protection & Sustainability) and 230 employees. Its overall budget is $85.2 million in FY2019.

PHOTO: County of Maui / Chris Sugidono photos