John Datiles joins the Flood Control/Dam Safety Ohana with the responsibility of administering the State General Flood Control Plan (SGFCP).
The goal of the SGFCP Coordinator is to assist the State in decision-making regarding flood hazards and prioritize areas to best focus limited resources. The SGFCP is currently being updated and will utilize digital database and website technologies to provide educational information and public awareness tools on flood risks, flood histories, hydrologic data, mitigation initiatives, a library for flood studies and post-flood reports, and other related information.
John internally transferred out of his previous role within the Engineering Division, where he managed design projects, including the Royal Hawai'ian Groin Replacement and Waikiki Beach Maintenance 2.
Before joining the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, John worked as a Naval Architect at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and worked as a Transportation Engineer at Caltrans. John earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from UC Davis.
Outside of work, John enjoys riding his motorcycle, playing piano, and photography. He also enjoys SUPing and hiking with his wife, Bianca. He’s most excited about becoming a new father with Bianca’s due date in just a few weeks!
Get To Know John Q&A
Q: What’s your favorite place to eat in Hawai'i?
A: Ululani’s Shave Ice, specifically the one off Dairy Road in Kahului. Perfect on a hot day, after the beach, or any occasion, really. It’s been over a year since I’ve been to Maui. Can’t wait to have some on my next trip.
Q: Any must-have tools or gadgets?
A: A mechanical keyboard – they’re more responsive and more precise. With all the typing I do daily, having a fast, more comfortable keyboard with keys that don’t stick is a must-have. Try it! Trust me, you’ll never want to go back to a regular keyboard.
Q: What lesson have you learned from the pandemic?
A: Family and friends are more important than I realized. Social distancing during the pandemic felt more like social isolation, so phone and video calls were crucial to my well-being. Our family had virtual graduations, virtual baby showers, even a virtual wedding. The rhythm of togetherness was different but more important than ever.
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