The One Oʻahu Podcast with Mayor Rick Blangiardi

Mayor Rick Blangiardi on the City Budget and HART’s Historic Rail Handover

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).
 

Lori Kahikina and Rick Keene on the Grand Opening of Honolulu’s Rail Transit System

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).
 

Mini-Episode: The Rental and Utility Relief Program Returns

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 on Agriculture Grants, the Honolulu Salary Commission and Memorial Day

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).

Linda Santos on Baby Rhinos, Lion Cubs and Anesthetizing Giraffes

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).

Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Rail’s Opening Day and the Iwilei Resource Center

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).

Dr. Jim Ireland on Ocean Safety Reorganization, Ambulance Funding and the Iwilei Resource Center

On this episode of the One O’ahu Podcast, Honolulu Emergency Services Department (HESD) Director Dr. Jim Ireland joins host Brandi Higa to discuss the potential reorganization of HESD, including an idea to spin off Ocean Safety into its own department (2:14). Later, Dr. Ireland talks about funding for the new ambulances and ambulance stations in the upcoming budget (9:03). And after watching it sit idle for years, Brandi and Dr. Ireland discuss the new plan for the Iwilei Resource Center (22:06).  
 

Mayor Rick Blangiardi on the Haʻikū Stairs, Ala Wai Flood Risk Management and Aloha Stadium Delays

On this episode of the One O’ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi and host Brandi Higa discuss issues that have come up in his most recent Town Hall meetings at Ben Parker and Lā’ie Elementary Schools (1:14). Later, Mayor Blangiardi offers his thoughts after the latest Ala Wai Flood Risk Management General Reevaluation Study community forum (19:43). And we are quickly approaching the opening date for O’ahu’s rail transit system; Mayor Blangiardi explains why he’s confident we will meet that July interim opening deadline (30:44). 

Nicola Hedge on Earth Day, Honolulu’s Annual Sustainability Report and Green Infrastructure Improvements

Nicole Hedge, the deputy director of the City's Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, opens the episode alongside host Brandi Higa with a discussion on the 2023 Annual Sustainability Report (4:46). Later, with President Biden touting the White House's Inflation Reduction Act, Deputy Director Hedge explains exactly what's at stake for the country and what that measure means for residents in Hawai‘i (21:51). And later, a new art exhibit going up this week at Honolulu Hale. How you can celebrate Aloha `Āina beyond Earth Month in April (31:41).
 

Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Gun Violence, Chinatown Improvements and Rail’s Line in the Sand

Mayor Rick Blangiardi and host Brandi Higa begin the episode with a discussion on gun legislation, following the recent shooting in Mā`ili that left two people dead (00:44). Later, Mayor Blangiardi discusses how his administration is working to solve some longstanding problems in Chinatown — while at the same time, revitalizing the area and increasing the City’s affordable housing inventory (3:45). Last week also marked the 5th of 11 town hall meetings that Mayor Blangiardi is holding across the island with his entire cabinet, so this week, the mayor takes some time to recap his takeaways and some of the issues from the most recent town hall meeting at Kalani High School (13:42).