The One Oʻahu Podcast with Mayor Rick Blangiardi

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)?

Mayor Blangiardi on more workforce housing on O’ahu and his new executive director for the Office of Culture and the Arts

This week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O’ahu Podcast to talk about his message to the public ahead of Fire Prevention Week in the City and County of Honolulu (5:29). Later, Mayor Blangiardi recently delivered remarks at the local observation of UN World Habitat Day. He explains this year’s theme: “Adequate housing for the spectrum of need in Honolulu” (17:18). Finally, Mayor Blangiardi announces a new addition to his cabinet in Ka‘ili Trask O’Connell, the new executive director for the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (24:27).

Kim Hashiro on feral chickens and the rainbow license plate design

On this episode of the One O'ahu Podcast, Department of Customer Services (CSD) Director Kim Hashiro joins host Brandi Higa to discuss CSD’s website overhaul featuring easy to navigate features (15:10). Later, Director Hashiro explains the extension of its feral chicken removal service to private-property owners (17:54). Finally, after initial reports the Rainbow license plate would be retired in 2024, Kim Hashiro provides the the latest on the iconic license plate design (44:08).

Mayor Blangiardi on affordable housing in Kapolei and the Honolulu Liquor Commission

On this episode of the One O'ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to discuss the one-year anniversary of the Safe and Sound program in Waikīkī (3:08). Later, Mayor Blangiardi talks about Parkway Village at Kapolei, a mixed-use development that will create 405 affordable rental units and two on-site preschools on City land (18:04). Finally, Honolulu Liquor Commission Board Chair Seth Buckley will be resigning later this year. Mayor Blangiardi explains what this means for the Board moving forward (23:28).

Jennifer Walter on wildfire disasters and recovery

On this episode of the One O'ahu Podcast, Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Deputy Director Jennifer Walter joins host Brandi Higa to discuss the City and County of Honolulu’s role in the recovery efforts following the devastating fires in Lahaina (2:13). Later, there are many ways to assist the survivors of these fires but Deputy Director Walter talks about some of the long-term ways to help (10:01). Finally, Jennifer Walter explains when and how our City and County of Honolulu Emergency Operation Center is activated for disasters on O‘ahu (17:47).

Recorded on Maui: Jeff Hickman and John Heggie on Lahaina recovery efforts

This episode of the One O'ahu Podcast was recorded on Maui, to hear from agencies responding to the devastating fire in Lahaina. The State of Hawaii's Department of Defense Public Affairs Director, Jeff Hickman, joins host Brandi Higa to discuss recovery efforts in the Lahaina disaster zone (1:46). Later, Hickman talks about some of the questions coming in from affected residents (6:28). Finally, John Heggie of the California Department of Forestry explains his department's role on the Valley Isle right now and the next phase of recovery in Lahaina (13:12).