Oahu water engineer retiring

Clifford Jamile, credited with coming up with innovative programs in his 41 years at the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, is retiring.

Jamile, manager and chief engineer, will leave his post this week due to health problems and to spend more time with his family. He officially retired at the end of December but continued to serve until the board appointed an individual to fill his position.

"He really took the stewardship responsibilities seriously. It was under his direction that we embraced our mission, Water for Life," spokeswoman Su Shin said.

Jamile started as a mechanical engineer with the Board of Water Supply in 1963 and was named manager and chief engineer in 1998.

He took bold steps to ensure the future of the Board of Water Supply and Oahu's water resource would be protected and preserved for generations to come, Shin added.

"Jamile launched several innovative programs in his tenure including desalination (the process of converting saline water into fresh, drinkable water), district cooling (utilizing cold sea water for air-conditioning systems) and the acquisition of Oahu's military systems," she said.

Herbert Minakami, chief of planning and engineering, was appointed interim manager and chief engineer during yesterday's board meeting.

Minakami will serve as interim manager while board members administer a search to permanently fill the post.

He started as an assistant water works chief engineer with the Board of Water Supply in 1976. Minakami's appointment became effective today.