The One Oʻahu Podcast with Mayor Rick Blangiardi

Dawn Takeuchi Apuna on Planning and Permitting, Self Certification and Artificial Intelligence

This week on the One Oʻahu Podcast, host Brandi Higa and Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) Director Dawn Takeuchi Apuna open with a discussion on the task force groups announced by Mayor Rick Blangiardi in this year’s State of the City address to focus on three specific areas: permitting, affordable housing, and the solar industry (00:30). Then, Director Apuna explains how her department has begun using artificial intelligence to streamline permit review preprocessing (3:16). Finally, we discuss Bill 6, relating to professional self-certification, and what this bill would mean for DPP and industry professionals if passed by the Honolulu City Council (10:52).

Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s 2023 State of the City Address

On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, Mayor Rick Blangiardi delivered his third State of the City address, talking about 'Wicked Problems' like affordable housing, homelessness, the City's Department of Planning and Permitting and public safety. During his roughly 70-minute speech, Mayor Blangiardi also touched on topics like the start of interim operations for Honolulu's rail project, the creation of an Office of Early Childhood Development, and the City's progress with regard to hiring. The full text of the speech is available at www.honolulu.gov/mayor, and the video of the speech is available on Mayor Rick Blangiardi's YouTube page. 

Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Andy Kawano on the FY2024 Budget, Property Tax Relief and $100M for Affordable Housing

Mayor Rick Blangiardi and host Brandi Higa are joined by Andy Kawano, the director of the City’s Department of Budget and Fiscal Services, for a wide-ranging conversation about the administration’s proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year, including funding set aside for public safety, affordable housing projects, and consent decree projects for wastewater and solid waste (00:57). Later, Kawano explains the City’s historic plan to offer property tax relief to nearly 152,000 qualifying homeowners on Oʻahu (6:28) and chats with the Mayor about plans to improve regional infrastructure to support affordable housing in East Kapolei, Hālawa, Iwilei and Kapālama (18:07).
 

Jon Nouchi on the Opening of Honolulu Rail, Pedestrian Safety and Complete Streets

Jon Nouchi, the deputy director of the City's Department of Transportation Services, and host Brandi Higa open the episode with a discussion about the opening of the Honolulu rail system, including some cool rail car features and the expansion of bus services along the rail line (00:31). Later, Nouchi addresses recent pedestrian accidents on Oʻahu roadways and explains the City's Vision Zero program, which strives to eliminate fatal accidents involving motor vehicles (12:02). Nouchi and Higa also talk about the Complete Streets program, which requires the City to look at how roadways are used by all users, of all ages, and not just motor vehicles (25:22).

Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Bill 57, Retaining City Employees and Oʻahu’s Film Industry

Mayor Rick Blangiardi and host Brandi Higa begin the episode with a lengthy discussion on Bill 57, a piece of legislation — which passed a second reading before the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday — that defines sensitive places with regard to the carrying of firearms across the City and County of Honolulu (00:31). Later, Mayor Blangiardi discusses how his administration is working to solve problems related to the retention of the City's workforce, including historically poor recruiting strategies and high turnover rates (09:34). And finally, with a trip to Los Angeles on the calendar this week, the mayor previews an upcoming series of meetings with Hollywood executives to discuss new ways to expand the burgeoning film industry on Oʻahu (26:50). 

Makanani Salā on Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Street Signs and Kuleana

Makanani Salā, the executive director of the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts in Honolulu, joins the One Oʻahu Podcast to talk about the City's initiatives during Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, or Hawaiian Language Month (02:55). Then, Makanani explains the genesis of the “Word on the Street” campaign, which is taking a closer look at street signs across the island with misspelled Hawaiian words (05:42). Finally, we discuss “kuleana” and the role it can play in solving some of the problems of today (16:32). To submit questions for Mayor Blangiardi to answer on the show, visit www.oneoahu.org/podcast.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Affordable Housing, Town Hall Meetings and Listener Questions

In the inaugural episode of the One Oʻahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi and host Brandi Higa open with a discussion on how we'll be using the podcast to engage with local residents before launching into a discussion on the City's affordable housing strategy (02:15). Then, the mayor previews a series of town hall meetings across the island that will take place after the State of the City address next month (20:33). Finally, we answer questions from viewers about topics like homelessness, bus passes for City employees and the installation of new pickleball courts (30:34). To submit questions for the mayor to answer on the show, visit www.oneoahu.org/podcast. 

Coming Soon: The One Oʻahu Podcast with Mayor Rick Blangiardi

Starting February 9, 2023, the One Oʻahu Podcast with Mayor Rick Blangiardi will feature the mayor and other City and County of Honolulu leaders answering questions about homelessness, affordable housing, high cost of living and a variety of other important topics — the questions that are most pressing for our residents, our island and our future. To submit questions for the mayor, send an email to media@honolulu.gov.