LIHU‘E — Dustin Moises has been key to the success of Department of Water projects moving forward over the last year and instrumental in infusing more than $43 million worth of projects into Kaua‘i’s economy, officials said. Moises was recognized
LIHU‘E — Dustin Moises has been key to the success of Department of Water projects moving forward over the last year and instrumental in infusing more than $43 million worth of projects into Kaua‘i’s economy, officials said.
Moises was recognized as the Department of Water’s Employee of the Quarter by David Craddick, DOW manager and chief engineer, and members of the Kaua‘i Board of Water Supply, during the board’s monthly meeting Thursday at DOW’s facility in Pua Loke.
“Dustin has worked tirelessly and in a professional manner to keep our Water Plan 2020 projects moving at a steady flow toward completion,” Craddick said, noting that a lot of the projects were done in one budget.
“During the last year, his consistent, high-paced work ethic was the key to infusing more than $43 million of projects into Kaua‘i’s economy.”
Moises is the Waterworks project manager and acting special projects division head.
His scope of responsibilities at the DOW cover a broad range including overseeing his division, coordinating and managing capital improvement projects, capital replacement projects and capital rehabilitation projects while assisting the operations division with emergency design and construction, states a DOW release.
Additionally, he has coordinated with the Contractors Association of Kaua‘i when it needed training for consultants, contractors and government counterparts.
In addition to water facilities for private subdivisions completed when first joining the DOW, Moises has completed approximately eight new or rehabilitated wells, seven new or rehabilitated storage tanks and approximately 35 waterline projects totaling more than 300,000 linear feet, or almost 60 miles.
Currently, Moises is involved with the design and construction of numerous projects including the Kahili Horizontal Drilled Well, which once constructed, would be the longest of its type in the world.
“In all, these projects have combined to inject more than $100 million into the island and state economy and I am blessed to have been able to come home to Kaua‘i and contribute to the island early in my career,” Moises said. “I look forward to continuing the progress of Water Plan 2020 in order to provide safe, affordable and reliable drinking water to our customers.”
Funding sources for these projects include the $60 million Build America Bond issued in 2010, an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant, State Revolving Fund loans and grants, each having complexities of their own to manage.
“This effort has required coordination with all divisions as well as getting out information to the public about the projects and the effect it may have on the communities during construction,” Craddick said. “We are fortunate to have such a person who can roll with the blows as Dustin has, and keep on going to improve our water systems around the island.”
Moises, grateful for the honor, attributes much of his success to Keith Fujimoto, a former DOW civil engineer, for being a good mentor, and DOW Board members and management, fellow employees, government counterparts, construction contractors and consultants who have assisted him in moving Water Plan 2020 projects forward.
“I am especially grateful for the support my wife Kristi and daughter Shealee have given me, which has allowed me the time to focus on getting these projects through the various phases of design and construction completion,” Moises said.
He joined the DOW in 2005 following graduation from the University of Hawai‘i with distinction. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in civil and environmental engineering and is a licensed Grade 3 water distribution system operator.
