The One Oʻahu Podcast with Mayor Rick Blangiardi

Mayor Blangiardi on Operation Blue Light and the Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines merger

This week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O’ahu Podcast to discuss Operation Blue Light Christmas, a program for keiki in West O’ahu (2:25). Plus, Alaska Airlines recently announced it plans to buy-out Hawaiian Airlines. Mayor Blangiardi reacts to that historic deal (9:04). Finally, Mayor Blangiardi talks about the blessing ceremony that was recently held at the Hawaii Film Studio for NCIS Season 3 (10:51). Bonus content: The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) announces its newest campaign: Happy HOLO Days! DTS Deputy Director Jon Nouchi explains this campaign (15:37).

Owen Ho, designer of the iconic Shaka Santa sculpture

This week, Owen Ho, Artistic Designer for the Friends of Honolulu City Lights, joins host Brandi Higa on the One O’ahu Podcast to discuss how Honolulu City Lights came to be the annual holiday celebration it is today (0:52). Then, Owen Ho explains the genesis of his iconic Shaka Santa sculpture (1:27). Finally, affectionately known as the “Mother of Honolulu City Lights,” Owen Ho shares what it was like to work with Carol Costa, the longtime organizer and former spokesperson for Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi (8:49).

Mayor Blangiardi on Ala Wai Flood Risk Management and BWS Rate Increases

This week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O’ahu Podcast to talk about what is being done to combat crime in Wai'anae following a recent stabbing that left two people injured (5:17). Later, Mayor Blangiardi discusses the recent Board of Water Supply vote to increase rates for customers (9:58). And the Ala Wai Flood Risk Management draft General Reevaluation Report was released last week, the Mayor reacts to the new price tag for that project on this week's episode of the One O'ahu Podcast (16:12).

Nate Serota on Kapolei City Lights

This week, Nate Serota, the Public Information Officer for the Department of Parks and Recreation, joins host Brandi Higa on the One O’ahu Podcast to discuss Kapolei City Lights 2023 and what folks can expect (0:52). Then, following ballistic testing at the Koko Head Shooting Complex, some good news recently for trap and skeet shooters (12:07). Finally, a new timed, low-flow shower opened last month following the completion of an improvement project at Kaimana Beach. Nate Serota explains the design and function of this new shower (17:27).

Alex Ching on Honolulu City Lights

This week, Alex Ching a recreation specialist with the Department of Parks and Recreation, joins host Brandi Higa on the One O’ahu Podcast to discuss his role with Honolulu City Lights since joining the City in 1991 (00:35). Later, Alex Ching talks about some of the episodes throughout the years where the sculptures didn’t make it to Honolulu Hale or back to the warehouse in one-piece (9:37). Finally, the 2023 Honolulu City Lights is being dedicated to Carol Costa, affectionately regarded as the “mother of Honolulu City Lights”. Alex talks about what Carol meant to him (18:30).

Matt Gonser on the City’s First Climate Adaptation Strategy, “Climate Ready Oʻahu”

This week, Matt Gonser, the Executive Director of the City’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, joins host Brandi Higa on the One O’ahu Podcast to discuss the City’s First Climate Adaptation Strategy, “Climate Ready Oʻahu” and how residents can weigh in (0:41). Later, Matt Gonser talks about dry conditions and wildfire risks (4:05). Finally, not everyone is as passionate about adapting to the impacts of our changing climate, what navigating that looks like for the City’s Resilience Officer (20:31).

Mayor Blangiardi on his Maui visit, O’ahu’s Wildfire Risk Assessment Group, and Movember

This week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O’ahu Podcast to talk about his trip to Maui to meet with Mayor Richard Bissen and the other county mayors (0:28). Later, Mayor Blangiardi provides details on the wildfire risk assessment group here on O‘ahu (6:51). Finally, with Movember here, a month dedicated to raising awareness for men’s health issues, the Mayor describes what he does to take care of his physical and mental health (22:06).

Jordan Abe and Nainoa O’Sullivan on booking online tee times and concessions at our municipal golf courses

On this episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, City golf administrator Jordan Abe and assistant golf administrator, Nainoa O’Sullivan join host Brandi Higa to discuss booking tee times at our City courses (2:26). Then, Gatorade, spam musubis, staples when you’re out golfing for hours. The latest when it comes to concessions at our municipal golf courses (5:29). Finally, a question that comes up often is the health of the grass at the City’s most popular golf course, Ala Wai Golf Course. The answer to why it’s often times brown in color (13:10).

Mayor Blangiardi on the defueling of Red Hill and collaborating with the State on homelessness

This week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O’ahu Podcast to talk about the process of draining the massive tanks of fuel at the Navy’s underground Red Hill fuel storage facility (2:16). Later, Mayor Blangiardi recently met with Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green on working together to help get more people off the streets on O‘ahu and into more permanent housing. He shares about that meeting (6:00). Finally, the Mayor describes the recent plaque dedication ceremony at Honouliuili National Historic site and why this was so significant to him (16:59).

Deputy Fire Chief Jason Samala on Fire Prevention Week, engine sirens, and recruitment

On this episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, the Honolulu Fire Department’s Deputy Fire Chief Jason Samala joins host Brandi Higa to discuss the assistance provided over the last few weeks in Maui County following the devastating fires in Lahaina (0:40). Later, it’s Fire Prevention Week and this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention,” aims to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and their ‘ohana safe when cooking (13:20). Finally, a question that came up at a handful of Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Town Hall meetings earlier in the year was the use of sirens on emergency vehicles. Do they need to be so loud and do they need to be utilized at all hours of the night (24:32)?