The One Oʻahu Podcast with Mayor Rick Blangiardi

This week, Honolulu Fire Department Fire Chief Kalani Hao joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to talk about the recent wildfire in Māʻili that left a 94-year-old woman dead and multiple structures damaged (0:49). Then, wildfire season isn’t over yet, what to do if you spot a brushfire (6:06). Finally, Chief Hao provides tips to protect your ‘ohana and property ahead of future threats (...

This week, Jordan Abe, Golf Course System Administrator for the City and County of Honolulu joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to explain how juniors can golf for free at our municipal courses (1:24). Later, Abe talks about Fairway Tavern, the new food concessionaire coming to ‘Ewa Villages Golf Course (4:18). Finally, it’s been a successful year for our city courses, Abe breaks down...

This week, former Ocean Safety Lieutenant Bill Ingram joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to talk about retiring from the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department (HOSD) after nearly 46 years on the job (0:45). Then, Ingram shares his secret to passing the challenging HOSD physical exam every year (12:54). Finally, his advice for the next generation of lifeguards following in his footsteps (21...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to discuss an interim, dirt racetrack for undeveloped Kalaeloa Park Land (5:53). Then, Mayor Blangiardi reacts to the selection of Matt Elliott as the new Athletics Director for the University of Hawaii at Mānoa (9:47). Finally, Father’s Day weekend is here, the mayor shares what he’s most proud of when i...

This week, Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer join host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to explain the origins of their project Lei Pua ‘Ala: Queer Histories of Hawai‘i (2:33). Later, they talk about a new historical plaque unveiled this week at Queen’s Surf Beach in Waikīkī (10:32). Finally, while great strides have been made in telling the stories of Hawaii’s LGBTQ+ history, Wilson and Hamer describ...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to discuss the 74th Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony (1:20). Later, takeaways from a town hall meeting at Radford High School (3:49). Then, the launch of Phase 2 of Wahi Pana: Storied Places (21:28).

This week, Nate Serota, public information officer for the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation, joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to talk about the need for fresh lei for the Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony (2:27). Later, Serota explains an effort to make City parks friendlier for responsible dog kahu and their canine (6:15). Finally, the Waipi‘o Soccer Complex will be closed for...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to talk about Police Week 2025 (13:21). Then, the City’s annual food drive has just ended but as Mayor Blangiardi explains, the need for healthy meals is only growing for O‘ahu families (19:32). Finally, Mayor Blangiardi discusses film industry tax credits and the importance of TV production in our island...

This week, Amy Miller, President and CEO of the Hawai‘i Foodbank, joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to talk about the incredible need for donations right now (0:33). Then, details on a campaign wrapping up this week with the City and State to raise 515,000 meals for Hawai‘i’s families in need and how you can help (2:47). Later, how federal cuts across the country are affecting the Ha...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Korky Gallagher, a spokesman for the Friends of Alexander Joy Cartwright joins host Brandi Higa to talk about the recent recognition of Cartwright Field as the ‘The Oldest Active Baseball Field in America’ (8:50 ). Then, what is next in the mission to spread this historic news about this historic neighborhood park in Makiki (14:00). Later, Korky exp...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Executive Director for the Institute for Human Services (IHS), Connie Mitchell, and Attorney Christopher Thomas join host Brandi Higa to discuss the call to action by Mayor Blangiardi and other leaders to serve as advocates for homeless individuals as Guardians Ad Litem (2:10). Then, how Assisted Community Treatment (ACT) works at helping individual...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to talk about a recent town hall meeting in Hale‘iwa (2:30). Later, Mayor Blangiardi discusses the importance of two bills he recently signed into law, Bill 1 and Bill 50 (17:30). Finally, reaction to Honolulu’s Cartwright Neighborhood Park being proclaimed the oldest active baseball field in America (22:...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Department of Emergency Management Acting Director Jennifer Walter joins host Brandi Higa to talk about the City’s new mass notification system, HNL Alert (0:36). Then, she explains the two ways to sign up for HNL Alerts (8:26). Later, preparation tips for you and your ‘ohana as we approach the drier summer months and Hurricane Season (24:05).

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to talk about standing up a task force to determine whether the Honolulu Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services would be better off as a single, integrated department (0:57). Then, Mayor Blangiardi discusses the start of passenger operations for the second segment of Skyline, the City’s rail trans...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Sarah Harris and Madeline Krueger of the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency’s (CCSR) Mitigation and Long-Term Disaster Recovery Program, join host Brandi Higa to discuss the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for O‘ahu (1:01). Later, they discuss the 90-day public appeal and co...

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi delivered the 2025 State of the City address on Tuesday, March 18th from the Mission Memorial Auditorium in Honolulu.

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Rebecca Choquette, a zookeeper at the Honolulu Zoo and this year's City and County of Honolulu Employee of the Year, joins host Brandi Higa to reflect on her award (0:59). Then, Choquette talks about why she wanted to go into this field of work and what she loves most (3:30). Finally, some interesting stories about the animals she works with each an...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Budget and Fiscal Services Director Andy Kawano join host Brandi Higa to discuss the Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposals submitted to the Honolulu City Council (1:06). Later, both men talk about key infrastructure and public service projects included in this year’s budget (4:49). Finally, where to find this year’s proposed bu...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Alphonso Braggs, Assistant Secretary of the National Board of Directors for the NAACP, and Rev. Dr. Gregory C. Carrow-Boyd, Director of Worship and Religious Education at the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, join host Brandi Higa to reflect on Mayor Blangiardi’s Black History Month Proclamation Ceremony (7:40). Then, both men talk about what make...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to talk about the hiring of Roy Miyahira as the City and County of Honolulu’s new Director of Homeless Solutions (1:19). Later, Mayor Blangiardi lays out what folks can expect in this year’s State of the City Address in March (10:06). Finally, in what has become an annual tradition, Mayor Blangiardi has s...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Kevin Auger, Executive Director for the Mayor’s Office of Housing, joins host Brandi Higa to talk about the 2025-2028 Strategic Housing Plan announced by the City (3:46). Then, Executive Director Auger explains how the City is exploring new funding models to create more affordable housing (10:25). Finally, the two discuss how restructuring the depar...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to reflect on the final salute for Honolulu Fire Fighter Jeff Fiala (1:18). Then, Mayor Blangiardi talks about the City and County of Honolulu’s participation and opportunities with the Bloomberg-Harvard Leadership Program, which includes a public art grant (4:54). Finally, a new strategic housing plan fo...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Randall Wakumoto, Program Administrator for the Department of Facility Maintenance’s Storm Water Quality Division and Doug Harper, Executive Director of Mālama Maunalua join host Brandi Higa to talk about their individual roles in protecting public health and the environment (0:41). Later, they describe a project they’ve partnered on to provide ince...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, new deputy director for the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency (CCSR) Dr. Kealoha Fox joins host Brandi Higa to talk about the role climate plays in the deadly wildfires we’re seeing more and more of (6:49). Then, Dr. Fox discusses her priorities as she steps into this new role with the City and County of Honolulu (12:51). Final...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast Honolulu Youth Commission Chair Esther Lim and second vice-chair Khan Ho join host Brandi Higa to talk about why they decided to serve on the commission (3:37). Then, both commissioners discuss some accomplishments they have been able to achieve as commissioners this past term (9:54). Finally, their message to those interested in serving on the Honol...