13 minute read
Highways
By: Rodney Gerard
The Highways Division, Oahu District’s Storm Water Management Program recently launched a new online video series focused on teaching keiki about protecting our ocean, rivers, and streams from pollution. Inspired by the popular Hawaii Storm Patrol: New Recruits booklet, the new Hawaii Storm Patrol Online Learning Series is designed for teaching third-grade students about Hawaii’s storm drain system and highlighting the importance of preventing litter, debris, chemicals, and other pollutants from entering the storm drains.
The virtual modules feature four engaging, animated videos that feature the following content: who complete the online learning series become an official recruit of the Hawaii Storm Patrol and can download a specifically designed background to use for their virtual classes and activities.
An instructor’s guide is also provided to help parents and teachers utilize the online learning series in a remote learning or classroom setting.
The free series is available online at https://www. stormwaterhawaii.com/sp-video/.
While the series was designed for third-graders, it is appropriate for learners of all ages. If you know a student or teacher who may be interested in learning more, please email us at info@ stormwaterhawaii. com.
• The Water Cycle • How Hawaii’s Storm Drains Work • Different Types of Pollution • The Impact of Storm Water on Our Ocean and Near Shore Waters
Characters from the booklet star in the new series and offer tips to protect the environment, and each video is followed by a short quiz to help young viewers retain information. Students
FUN FACT: The Cost of Snow & Ice
Highways
By: Rachel Roper
Lucky we live Hawaii? While we do experience weather related events, unlike other states, we don’t really have to worry about snowy and icy conditions on the road. A survey conducted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in 2015 asked State Departments of Transportation how much they spent on winter related operations and maintenance. AASHTO received responses from twenty-three states, which added up to over $1 billion. Pennsylvania reported the highest total of $272 million in expenses that included 2.5 million man hours in response time. While New Hampshire reported a much lower total of $46 million, they plowed an estimated 2.5 million miles of roadways!
Getting to Know Vanessa Lau
Q: What is the most interesting part of your new job at Highways?
Vanessa: As Highways Division’s Fiscal Management Officer, the most interesting part of my job is learning all fiscal aspects to support the Division because of its unique nature, dynamic environment, and is an enterprise fund of the State of Hawaii. It really amazed me that our busy division handles over 300 federal and/or statewide projects simultaneously.
Q: In this new year, what are you looking forward to?
Vanessa: I am looking forward to the new financial management system contract that was recently awarded and executed. Additionally, I am excited to help assist the software developer to create an integrated cloud based financial management system. The new system will improve business performance by streamlining and/ or automating processes for Budget, General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Asset, Procurement, Project/Grant, Federal Billing, Human Resource and Time and Labor.
Q: What experience(s) from your background has helped you adjust to your new positions?
Vanessa: Prior to Highways Division, I held various financial management positions with comprehensive business experience in the private and public sector for over 25 years. With the skills and experience that I have acquired, I will implement improvement for accounting practice and procedures in fiscal office.
Highways
Highways Welcomes New HR Officer
Congratulations and welcome to Elizabeth “Kapua” Kenui who recently joined HDOT as Highways Division’s HR Officer.
Q: What is the most interesting part of your new job at Highways?
Kapua: The various branches and districts under DOT HWY.
Q: In this new year, what are you looking forward to?
Kapua: Automating HWY-SP
Q: What experience(s) from your background has helped you adjust to your new positions?
Kapua: A good upbringing and 29 ½ years in the military.
Introducing Ericson Bautista
E Komo Mai to Ericson Bautista, Highways’ new office assistant in HWY-S!
Q: What is the most interesting part of your new job at Highways?
Ericson: As an Office Assistant, I find the eSign application to be an extremely handy tool. Other jobs I have worked for have an “archaic” system as far as moving documents along to be approved or signed. I am glad that we (the DOT) utilize this application; being able to track a document without the actual movement of physical paper is amazing.
Q: In this new year, what are you looking forward to?
Ericson: I am excited for the potential in growth as an office worker and all the knowledge that I can acquire. My supervisor, Dayna Madison, has said that this department in particular is a great place to build my experience. As long as I stay willing, I hope to expand my knowledge of this department’s workflow. I also look forward to improving myself, personally.
Q: What experience(s) from your background has helped you adjust to your new position?
Ericson: From 2016 to 2019, I worked as an Admin Support Clerk/Admin Assistant through a couple of staffing companies. Though my assignments through the staffing companies were temporary gigs, the various types of offices and industries allowed me to broaden my knowledge. I also had the pleasure of being assigned to work at the City & County’s Environmental Services, Wastewater Division. Working for gov-
ernment offices is a completely different animal. It opened my eyes to a lot of new things that I never learned in the private sector previously. I learned that there is a hierarchy in the office, and I needed to learn where my boundaries were. As far as the work, I learned that accuracy and
Highways
meeting deadlines is very crucial, especially if the Mayor would ultimately have to sign off on the documents I would submit. Working at the city (albeit, temporarily) helped me to have a little insight on what to expect when I was hired with the HDOT.
Hawaii Statewide Transportation Plan Virtual Public Meetings Scheduled Feb 17, 18, & 20
The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) will be holding virtual public meetings on the update of the Hawaii Statewide Transportation Plan (HSTP) on Feb. 17, 18, & 20. The HSTP looks at the future of transportation for the next 25 years and will update the State’s long-term transportation goals and policies for air, water, and land. The HDOT will be holding a series of virtual public meetings to share an overview of the HSTP and gather public feedback on goals, objectives, and emerging trends for the Plan.
The virtual public meetings will be held using Microsoft Teams. Meeting information is as follows:
Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 12 p.m. to 1:30
p.m. - Click here for Microsoft Teams meeting link or call 1-808-829-4853, Conference ID: 503 657 516#
Thursday, Feb. 18, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. -
Click here for Microsoft Teams meeting link or call 1-808-829-4853, Conference ID: 890 038 022#
Saturday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.-
Click here for Microsoft Teams meeting link or call 1-808-829-2853, Conference ID: 765 850 718# The purpose of the meetings is to share an overview of the HSTP and to collect public feedback on goals, objectives, emerging trends, and our future for the Plan. Information on the current HSTP can be found at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/ administration/hawaii-statewide-transportation-plan/
For more information about the project, please visit https://arcg.is/1KmHSP or contact Tomo Murata at (808) 831-7984 or masatomo.murata@ hawaii.gov or Kathleen Chu at kathleen.chu@ outlook.com.
To request language interpretation an auxiliary aid or special services (e.g. sign language interpreter, materials in alternate format), please contact the HDOT Public Affairs Office at 808-5872160 or dotpao@hawaii.gov prior to the meeting date. Please submit requests in a timely manner to allow an adequate period to fulfill requests.
Text telephone (TTY) users may use the telecommunication relay service (TRS) to contact HDOT.
Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, braille, or electronic copy.
AWARDEES continued from page 2 mistakenly thought that a shipment of taxiway/ runway sign panels were missing a couple of panels. After several weeks of phone calls and emails trying to track down the missing panels, the “missing” panels were discovered on another pallet. He immediately called the vendor and apologized for his mistake. He took ownership of his mistake when he easily could have hidden his mistake.
Congratulations to the other Employee of the Year nominees:
Joshua Mahuna Airport Firefighter - AIR-H Nominated by Lt. Shonne Sasaki
Rae Nguyen Secretary II - AIR-H Nominated by Chauncey Wong-Yuen
Blayne Nikaido Planner VI -STP Nominated by Pradip Pant
Ryan Oura-Nakoa Airports Fire Fighter, AIR-M Nominated by Lt. Patrick Hamilton
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Davis Yogi
Harbors Administrator Harbors Division Nominated by Robert Crowell, Christopher Murphy, Jeff Hood, Duane Kim Throughout the years, Davis has provided much needed and irreplaceable guidance and coaching in all areas of operations and administration. He is a positive leader that empowers his team to work towards success, as well as care for their personal well-being. He is knowledgeable in the Hawaii Revised Statutes, Hawaii Administrative Rules as well as other rules and regulations related to the Harbors Division and the workings of the State of Hawai’i.
Davis is well-versed in all aspects of the Division. When COVID-19 hit the islands, Davis led the Harbors Division operations, as all commercial harbors remained open to continue to service shippers. The “lifeline” to the islands never stopped. He instituted an Area Command that meets daily to exchange important information dealing with the entire Division. This Area Command is made up of all operational districts (Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and Kauai), the Disaster Preparedness Program Specialist, Procurement, Finance, Budget and HR personnel. He effectively and clearly communicates his ideas and thoughts in these team meetings. If and/ or when problems arise, Davis will investigate them immediately and respond rapidly. His knowledge and experiences allow him to be a great asset to the Division.
Davis is also tasked to provide information explaining the Division’s financial situation to both the legislature and to the Hawaii Harbor Users Group (HUGGS). His excellent communication skills and ability to respond to feedback make him the perfect conduit to pass on this vital information. He displays a cooperative spirit while performing his duties.
Davis’ s ability to motivate his team within the Harbors Division has enabled this Division to continue to operate without any major glitches.
Davis has exceeded reasonable expectations of the administrator position by taking a
“hands on” approach of performing lesser roles in the absence of important staff, notably Property Management. A functional property management section initiates, reviews, renews leases which provide revenue to operate the Harbors system. The process to perform these duties includes presenting the information to the DLNR board for approval, soliciting and managing real property appraisal services, discussions with tenants, etc. The property management section, as far back as 2005, had not been performing many of these duties which had a negative effect on Harbors revenue as well as increasing discontent amongst the tenants. Despite not having a background in real estate, Mr. Yogi took it upon himself to learn what needed to be done, soliciting contracts for real estate appraisers and providing clear and concise directions to the property managers to execute. Two of the three property managers left and the supervisor, after multiple counselings and clear guidance being provided, was terminated. Mr. Yogi subsequently took on an even more intimate role with property management, pressed personnel to bring new property managers on board quickly, and provided training to the new property managers how to perform this important function. At this time, the Property Management section, although not able to complete all of the duties, have made great strides towards updating all of the leases which has provided additional revenue for the Harbors system to repair existing structures and fund future improvements. If Mr. Yogi had not taken this approach and relied on lower level managers to continue to not address this issue, Harbors would continue to not realize appropriate returns from it’s real property assets. e
Congratulations to the other Manager of the Year nominees:
Melanie Martin
Civil Rights Coordinator - OCR Nominated by Randall Landry
Marvin Moniz
Airports District Manager - AIR-M Nominated by Brian Kamimoto
Peter Pillone Commercial Harbors Manager - HAR-OC Nominated by Neil Takekawa
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Wiki Wiki Team - DEP-HWY
Nominated by Ed Sniffen
The assignment/objective was to streamline the hiring process for DOT Highways Division. DHRD agreed to do a pilot project Wikiwiki Hire Program for hiring Engineers in the Highways Division - only if highways could show the resourcing and commitment to ensure success. Success was to be able to onboard a prospective hire within 5 days of recruitment. Vacancies have always been an area of concern internally and with the legislature. The Division is always defending the need for positions, has had positions cut due to the length of vacancy or lose out on potential hires to due the lengthy hiring process. The Senior Managers at the DOT Highways Division collaborated with DHRD in March 2019 to develop the process and guidelines for the Wikiwiki Hire Program.
Robin Shishido took the lead to start writing up the internal expedited processes that DHRD required for the pilot. All senior managers were involved in this effort from the beginning. Each Senior Manager was trained to be an Associate Recruiter. Being an Associate Recruiter means taking on the responsibility of the entire hiring
process including defending the hire should there be a grievance.
On April 15, 2019, the Wikiwiki recruitment for DOT Highways was posted on DHRD’s website. On April 25, 2019 the first list of applicants were provided to DOT Highways. The first interview was conducted on April 26, 2019 and the applicant was hired on April 29, 2019. In the past the hiring process would take 6 to 9 months. With the Wikiwiki Hire Program an applicant can get hired within a few days. In the first two months of the program the Highways Division has conducted 30 interviews and made 10 hires. Now, the obstacle to hiring is no longer the process, but how quickly we can encourage the right people to apply into the division.
The success of this pilot project is vital to meeting DOT Highway’s commitment to the legislature to fill vacancies, and more importantly, our commitment to the public to deliver on the system improvements that will positively impact quality of life. The commitment by the Senior Managers has gained the trust of DHRD. We will continue the pilot program and are benefiting from improvements to hiring processes outside of the pilot. In the near future, we will look to expand the Wikiwiki Hire Program to other classifications within the Division.
Congratulations to the other Team of the Year nominees:
HNL Pass & ID Office, AIR-OO Nominated by Steven Maruyama
Lane Closure Team, HWY Nominated by Gina Belleau
Maui AOC Team, AIR-M Nominated by Brian Kamimoto
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Harbors Division Custodial Unit, HAR-OCG Nominated by David Lee
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Dana Abe Office Assistant IV, HWY-O Nominated by Sam Rombaoa
Darryl Akamine Illustrator / Photographer, AIR-EG Nominated by Airports Division
John Burns Airport Fire FIghter, AIR-M Nominated by Donny Nolasco
George Purdy Airports Fire Equipment Operator, AIR-M Nominated by Guy DeSilva
Connecting the DOTs Newsletter Team Nominated by Lynn Araki-Regan ent/objective was to streamline the hiring process for DOT Highways Division. DHRD agreed to do a pilot project Wikiwiki Hire
Program for hiring Engineers in the Highways
