The One Oʻahu Podcast with Mayor Rick Blangiardi

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to reflect on Veterans Day (0:50). Later, Mike Gangloff of Show Aloha Land joins to talk about his displays on the Civic Grounds to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Honolulu City Lights (9:32). Finally, Mike Gangloff shares why he got into the business of Christmas cheer (14:35)!

To open the Inauguration ceremony for Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s second term as Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, Master Navigator and President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, Nainoa Thompson, offered remarks on leadership.

On January 2, 2025, an inauguration ceremony was held for Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s second term at the Mission Memorial Auditorium on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds next to Honolulu Hale. This is Mayor Blangiardi's full inauguration speech.

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Dylan Whitsell and Dylan Buck of the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) join host Brandi Higa to talk about the role of NCO and how folks can get involved (0:55). Later, common issues that come up and direct examples of change brought about by the Neighborhood Boards (16:49). Finally, both men explain how individuals interested in running for a se...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, the City’s new Deputy Director for the Department of Parks and Recreation, Ted Hayden, and the department’s Public Information Officer, Nate Serota, join host Brandi Higa to talk about Kapolei City Lights (5:28). Plus, the latest on repairs being made at the Mānoa Pool (7:37). Finally, both men discuss a collaborative effort underway to preserve Kai...

This week, Sheri Kajiwara of the Friends of Honolulu City Lights joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to talk about Honolulu City Lights, an event Kajiwara has been involved with for over three decades (0:41). Then, Kajiwara discusses what’s new this year for the 40th anniversary of the state’s post popular holiday celebration (6:48). Later, what you can expect if you’re coming down for...

This week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to talk about Wahi Pana (Storied Places), a temporary public art initiative designed to activate culturally significant sites across O‘ahu (1:45). Then, Mayor Blangiardi responds after most cell phones on O‘ahu were unable to access 9-1-1 for hours (5:49). Later, City leaders welcomed students from Castle High School...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, the City and County of Honolulu’s new Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Sasha Breland, joins host Brandi Higa to introduce herself and talk about her priorities in this new leadership role (0:36). Later, Dr. Breland explains what it is going to take to shorten the time it takes to finalize reports and provide closure for families (2:32). Then, Dr. Breland...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to reflect on Veterans Day (0:50). Later, Mike Gangloff of Show Aloha Land joins to talk about his displays on the Civic Grounds to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Honolulu City Lights (9:32). Finally, Mike Gangloff shares why he got into the business of Christmas cheer (14:35)!

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Howard Okamura joins host Brandi Higa to reflect on 60 years working for the City and County of Honolulu (1:38). Later, Mr. Okamura talks about his first day working for the Department of Customer Services and how his job has changed over the years (2:07). Finally, Howard Okamura’s office has moved from location to location since 1964, most are buil...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi discusses the importance of Bill 32, a measure he signed into law this week (1:57). Then, Mayor Blangiardi talks about the need to raise sewer fees for the first time since 2016 (3:52). Finally, City Clerk Glen Takahashi joins us with some General Election reminders (26:44).

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Roger Babcock, Director for the City’s Department of Environmental Services, and his Deputy Director, Mike O’Keefe join host Brandi Higa to talk about where they are in the process of naming new landfill site (4:52). Later, with several large projects upcoming, ENV talks about the need to raise sewer fees for the first time since 2016 (6:46). Plus,...

A bonus episode of the One O'ahu Podcast, deviating from our once weekly schedule to bring you a mini episode with Honolulu Ocean Safety Lifeguard Noland Keaulana. Keaulana searched through the night for a missing 17-year-old kayaker. Keaulana recounts his search and the moments following his rescue of the teen off Waikīkī on the morning of Oct. 17.

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Honolulu City Councilmember Matt Weyer join host Brandi Higa to talk about all the ways the City and County of Honolulu is celebrating Honolulu Pride Month (2:17). Then, with General Election ballots going out in the mail this week, Mayor Blangiardi and Councilmember Weyer discuss the Charter Amendment questions on this yea...

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, Executive Director for the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency Ben Sullivan, joins host Brandi Higa to discuss his priorities as he steps in this new role as the City’s Chief Resilience Officer (0:42). Then, the deadline has just passed for the Better Buildings Benchmark program. What that means and how the data for this program will be used...

This week, Deputy Managing Director Krishna Jayaram, joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to discuss his role as the City and County of Honolulu’s LGBTQ Liaison (2:44). Then, with October serving as Honolulu Pride Month, DMD Jayaram talks about all the ways the City and County of Honolulu is celebrating (5:08). Finally, the Deputy Managing Director talks about the City’s DOE shadow prog...

This week, Dr. Jim Ireland, director for the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to provide updates on the City’s medical respite sites for homeless individuals (0:54). Later, Dr. Ireland responds to the recent uptick in dog attacks on O‘ahu (20:22). Then, with more of our island keiki getting injured in e-bike crashes, Dr. Ireland discusses e-bi...

This week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to discuss the ‘A‘ala Respite, a medical respite for homeless individuals on O‘ahu (1:44). Then, a new contract for Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) CEO Lori Kahikina was recently approved by the HART Board of Directors. Mayor Blangiardi talks about the importance of this contract (10:30). Finally, t...

This week, Dr. Scott Miscovich from Premier Medical Group Hawai’i, joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to discuss what he’s seeing when it comes to our current COVID-19 situation here in the City and County of Honolulu (0:55). Then, Dr. Miscovich shares about his role leading the City’s A’ala Respite, a new medical respite option for homeless individuals in Honolulu (9:40). Finally, fr...

This week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to discuss the latest shooting in Wai'anae that left four dead (0:32). Then, Mayor Blangiardi talks about his recent signing of Bill 3 and what that means in the potential for building more housing on O’ahu (17:19). Later, International Overdose Awareness Day was on August 31, 2024, why this cause is especially import...

This week, Mark Yonamine, Deputy Director for the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to discuss opportunities to join the City’s team of engineers (1:57). Later, Mark Yonamine talks about the new comfort station at Hans L’Orange Park which is now closer to the ball field (6:35). Then, there’s a new $22 million building at the Department of...

This week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to discuss the recent gun violence in Wai‘anae and how the City plans to increase presence in the area (0:40). Then, with a second term secured, we talk about the priorities for the Blangiardi Administration over the next four years (6:33). Finally, predictions and hopes as the University of Hawai‘i football team open...

This week, acting director of the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department, Kurt Lager, joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast talk about the City’s newest department and what this means in terms of resources for our lifeguards (0:55). Then, Lager discusses his priorities for the department and provides an update on the new facilities coming online (3:37). Finally, interested in becoming a City l...

This week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to reflect on the Maui wildfires as we mark one year since the tragedy in Lahaina (0:27). Later, Mayor Blangiardi reacts to the devastating news on the passing of longtime homeless advocate Twinkle Borge (4:16). Then, Mark Yonamine re-joins the City’s Department of Design and Construction as the department’s deputy di...

This week, Department of Community Services (DCS) Deputy Director Aedward Los Banos joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to tell us a little about himself and what prepared him for this role (4:18). Then, Deputy Director Los Banos provides an update on Waikīkī Vista (5:12). Finally, there’s an outreach effort underway from the Department’s Elderly Affairs Division to educate seniors and...