Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris yesterday won City Council confirmation of his latest slate of directors and top appointed officials.
The longest debate occurred over the nomination of engineer Ross Sasamura as director of the Department of Facility Maintenance. Sasamura was criticized by a handful of tenants of city housing projects who said he failed to respond to problems and allowed a pattern of favoritism for some tenants while not responding to complaints of others.
Council member Andy Mirikitani was the only member who voted against Sasamura. He said he did so because Sasamura "ignored and neglected" serious problems with management outlined by tenants. He also questioned why the city allowed some city-owned office space to remain vacant while leasing other office space for city agencies.
Council member Duke Bainum said he supported Sasamura’s appointment because he has found him responsive and believes that most of the problems with management occurred before Sasamura began the job. The situation has improved since he has been in the position, Bainum said.
