Kirk Saiki appointed DOW manager and chief engineer

The Kaua‘i Board of Water Supply yesterday appointed Kirk Saiki as the manager and chief engineer of the Department of Water (DOW).

“The Board is confident that Kirk will serve the department and Kaua‘i community well, due to his educational background and past professional experiences,” said Clyde Nakaya, DOW’s Board Chairman. “We look forward to working with Kirk to further the Department’s mission in providing safe and affordable drinking water with excellent customer service for the people of Kaua‘i.”

“Congratulations to Kirk on his well-deserved appointment and to the Board on making an excellent choice,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. “Over the past year, Kirk has led the department with great dedication and aloha. We have worked with him to address critical issues in recent months and look forward to our continued partnership with Kirk and his team in the years to come.”

Saiki was raised in Waipahu, Oahu, and has more than 30 years of experience in running engineering teams, departments and offices, through a wide variety of projects within the construction, water and wastewater industry. He held the position of principal engineer for Lee & Ro, Inc., before becoming the deputy manager-engineer for the DOW in February 2013. Saiki served from November 2013 as DOW’s acting manager and chief engineer.

Saiki received his bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. He is a member of the American Water Works Association and a board member for Hawai‘i Rural Water Association. Saiki is looking forward to leading the DOW in its future endeavors.

“I am honored and grateful to have been selected by the Board for this important position,” Saiki said. “I look forward to building staff accountability and collaboration, working with our government and private agencies, and improving customer service for the betterment of our island and community.”

For more information, please call the Department of Water at 245-5455.

Kirk Saiki was sworn in yesterday as the Department of Water’s newly appointed manager and chief engineer by Eddie Topenio, Jr., administrative assistant to the County Clerk.

Kirk Saiki, the Department of Water’s newly appointed manager and chief engineer, poses for a photo with some of the members of his staff (Lt to Rt): Val Reyna; Kim Tamaoka; Debra Peay; Dustin Moises; Saiki; Mary-jane Akuna; Marites Yano; Eddie Doi; Carl Arume and Keith Aoki.