The One Oʻahu Podcast with Mayor Rick Blangiardi

On this episode of the One O’ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi and host Brandi Higa discuss the first week of operations for Skyline, Honolulu’s Rail System (0:27). Later, Mayor Blangiardi offers his thoughts on the passing of former Honolulu Police Chief Lee Donohue (5:12). Finally, Mayor Blangiardi talks about the importance of federal funding after the City and County of Honolulu was selected earlier this month to receive $1M through the Inflation Reduction Act for climate action planning (21:25).

On this episode of the One O'ahu Podcast, Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Director Hiro Toiya joins host Brandi Higa to discuss the NOAA Hurricane Season Outlook for 2023 and ways to get prepared (2:12). Later, Director Toiya talks about his experience leading the City and County of Honolulu through the COVID-19 pandemic (35:24). Finally, with so many facilities not designed to withstand powerful storms here on O'ahu, the DEM Director explains the options on the table when it comes to Hurricane refuge areas (43:49).

Mayor Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast this week to discuss gun violence on O ‘ahu following the recent shootings in West O'ahu (9:45). Later in the episode, Mayor Blangiardi discusses crime reduction efforts in Waikīkī, which included the addition of Honolulu Police officers and private security (12:45). Finally, the Mayor talks about key leadership announcements and commission nominees and his expectations for their roles (17:10).

This week, Department of Land Management (DLM) Acting Director Catherine Taschner joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to discuss a key leadership hire in DLM Deputy Director Keith Suzuka (1:56). Later, Taschner explains DLM's role in Transit Oriented Development as we close-in on opening day for Honolulu's Rail System (2:40). And finally, Acting Director Taschner talks about the City's role in providing affordable housing for residents throughout the City and County of Honolulu (5:03).

This week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to discuss the priorities within the City’s executive operating and capital improvement budgets, which were approved last week by the Honolulu City Council (1:26). Later, Mayor Blangiardi reacts to the historic handing over of the rail system from the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transpiration to the City’s Department of Transportation Services (8:59). And finally, Mayor Blangiardi reflects on Father’s Day (20:39).
 

This week, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) CEO Lori Kahikina and COO Rick Keene join host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to discuss their thoughts and emotions as we approach the interim opening for O’ahu’s rail transit system (0:48). Later, Kahikina and Keene discuss the difficult job they had when it came to mending relationships and re-gaining the trust of the FTA, community stakeholders and the public when it came to rail construction (3:49). In this episode, HART’s leadership goes on to explain all of the changes that were made internally with the organization, an effort that included streamlining services and cutting staff (14:37).
 

The One O‘ahu Podcast: Extra Credit! We’re releasing a mid-week episode this week to announce the much-anticipated return of the City and County of Honolulu’s Rental and Utility Relief Program. Amy Asselbaye, the Executive Director for the City's Office of Economic Revitalization, joins host Brandi Higa to discuss the temporary reopening of this program for 2,000 applications and what’s new this time around.
 

Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins podcast host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to reflect on Memorial Day and discuss his message at this year's ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (0:49). Later, Mayor Blangiardi talks about his town hall tour that just wrapped up, including his assessment of those eleven meetings and when we can expect the next round of visits to those communities (6:54). Finally, Mayor Blangiardi discusses the rollout of $3 million in grants to small farmers, ranchers, and growers on O‘ahu (20:08).

This week, Honolulu Zoo Director Linda Santos joins host Brandi Higa on the One Oʻahu Podcast to talk about the zoo’s two newest additions, including a baby eastern black rhinoceros born in April (0:30) and growing young lion who arrived earlier this month (3:37). Plus, Director Santos provides a look at exactly what it takes to put a giraffe under anesthesia to perform a medical operation (4:32) and updates the public on efforts to vaccinate Honolulu Zoo animals against COVID-19 (7:53).

This week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O’ahu Podcast to talk about his expectations for the opening day of O’ahu’s rail system on June 30, 2023 (0:46). Later, Mayor Blangiardi explains a plan that will soon provide dozens of beds for homeless individuals who are in need of medical respite (15:01). Finally, Mayor Blangiardi provides an update on issues that have come up during his town hall meetings, like the future of the Waikiki surfboard racks (17:52) and building a swimming pool for the Kahuku community (20:09).