Mayor Alameda appoints new directors for Environmental Management, Public Works departments – Big Island Now

Report on Hawaiʻi County Leadership Appointments and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

On November 17, 2025, the office of Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda announced strategic leadership appointments for two key departments. These appointments are positioned to directly advance the County’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning environmental stewardship and resilient infrastructure. Daniel Girvan has been appointed Director of the Department of Environmental Management, and Wesley Segawa will now lead the Department of Public Works. These changes signal a reinforced focus on sustainable development and resource management for the county.

Appointment Details

The following leadership transitions have been enacted, pending confirmation by the County Council:

1. Daniel Girvan: Appointed Director of the Department of Environmental Management.
2. Wesley Segawa: Appointed Director of the Department of Public Works, transitioning from his previous role as Director of Environmental Management.
3. Neil Azevedo: Will serve as Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works, continuing his service after acting as director since March 31.

Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Department of Environmental Management: Advancing Environmental SDGs

The appointment of Daniel Girvan, who brings nearly three decades of experience in engineering and large-scale project management, is critical for advancing several key SDGs. The department’s mandate over wastewater and solid waste management directly impacts the county’s environmental health and sustainability targets.

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Mr. Girvan’s technical expertise will guide the management and improvement of wastewater systems, ensuring access to sanitation and protecting local water resources.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) & SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Effective leadership in solid waste management is fundamental to creating sustainable communities by reducing waste, promoting recycling, and mitigating the environmental impact of landfills.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), & SDG 15 (Life on Land): The department’s work under Mr. Girvan will be central to protecting marine and terrestrial ecosystems from pollution and contributing to the county’s climate resilience strategy.

Department of Public Works: Building Resilient Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future

Wesley Segawa’s transition to the Department of Public Works leverages his extensive background in engineering, construction management, and infrastructure projects. This move strengthens the county’s capacity to develop infrastructure that is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Mr. Segawa’s leadership is expected to drive the development of quality, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure, which is the cornerstone of economic growth and innovation. His experience with both public and private projects will be instrumental in achieving this goal.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The Department of Public Works is responsible for the foundational infrastructure that makes communities safe, resilient, and sustainable. Mr. Segawa’s role is pivotal in ensuring that public works projects align with long-term community well-being and sustainability principles.

Leadership Endorsement

Mayor Kimo Alameda expressed confidence that the new appointments will fortify the county’s infrastructure and environmental management capabilities. “With both Daniel and Wesley in these key roles, our infrastructure will be in excellent hands,” stated Mayor Alameda. This endorsement underscores the administration’s commitment to leveraging expert leadership to achieve critical sustainability and development objectives for Hawaiʻi County.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• The article mentions that the Department of Environmental Management is responsible for “wastewater” services. This directly connects to SDG 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, with a specific focus on wastewater treatment.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• The appointment of a new head for the Department of Public Works, which manages “public and private infrastructure projects,” is central to the article. The mayor’s statement that “our infrastructure will be in excellent hands” reinforces the focus on maintaining and developing quality infrastructure, which is the core of SDG 9.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The Department of Environmental Management’s responsibility for “solid waste” management is mentioned. This is a key component of creating sustainable cities, as outlined in SDG 11, which includes targets related to municipal waste management and reducing the environmental impact of cities.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article is fundamentally about governance and strengthening public institutions. The appointment of experienced leaders—Daniel Girvan with “technical expertise and management background” and Wesley Segawa with “extensive experience in engineering and construction management”—to lead key county departments is an action aimed at creating more effective and capable institutions, which is a primary goal of SDG 16.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution and treating wastewater

• The role of the Department of Environmental Management in overseeing “wastewater” services directly relates to this target, which focuses on improving water quality by halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and increasing recycling and safe reuse.

Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure

• The focus on the Department of Public Works and its leadership for “public infrastructure projects” aligns with this target. The mayor’s confidence in the new appointees suggests a commitment to ensuring the county’s infrastructure is well-managed and effective.

Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities

• This target specifically mentions paying “special attention to… municipal and other waste management.” The article’s reference to the Department of Environmental Management’s responsibility for “solid waste” directly connects to this target.

Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

• The entire article describes a governmental action—appointing qualified directors to public departments—aimed at improving the effectiveness of these institutions. By selecting leaders based on their experience and expertise, the county is working towards building stronger and more capable governance structures.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Implied Qualitative Indicators

• The article does not mention any specific quantitative indicators or data points to measure progress. However, it strongly implies a qualitative indicator for Target 16.6 (Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions). The appointment of leaders with significant relevant experience (“nearly 30 years of experience,” “extensive experience in engineering and construction management”) is presented as a positive step, suggesting that the qualification and expertise of public officials serve as an indicator of institutional strength and effectiveness. The article focuses on the human capital and leadership capacity being put in place, which is a precursor to achieving measurable outcomes in environmental management and public works.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bigislandnow.com