The One Oʻahu Podcast with Mayor Rick Blangiardi

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, John Berry, new zoo director for the Honolulu Zoo joins host Brandi Higa to talk about taking on this new leadership position and what’s prepared him for this role (0:49). Later, Director Berry discusses the importance of protecting Hawai‘i’s native species (9:05). Finally, things to look forward to: projects Director Berry is excited to hit the ground r...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Dr. Kealoha Fox, executive director for the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CCSR) joins host Brandi Higa to talk about the annual sustainability report (0:45). Later, the City’s draft Oʻahu Food Systems plan is out for public comment now, how you can get involved (12:23). Then, Dr. Fox discusses Honolulu’s role in Bloomberg Philanthro...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Kauwila Mahi and Ka‘imina‘auao Kahikina join host Brandi Higa. Both are Native Hawaiian historians, researchers, and storytellers who talk about how they got involved in Wahi Pana: Storied Places, a temporary art program created by the City and County of Honolulu through a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies (1:02). Then, they discuss the art installations thr...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, the City’s director of homeless solutions, Roy Miyahira joins host Brandi Higa to discuss an area along the water behind Kahauiki Village that looks a lot different these days (0:39). Later, Miyahira explains what an MH-3 is and the effect these actions have had on getting people off the streets and into the help they need (7:12). Finally, we hear of other states se...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Department of Facility Maintenance Deputy Director Warren Mamizuka joins host Brandi Higa to discuss the department’s response during the recent Kona low storms (1:02). Then, Deputy Director Mamizuka talks about the collaboration between City, State, and Federal partners in the days following Kona low 2 (8:34). Finally, Warren Mamizuka explains what it meant to him ...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Honolulu Emergency Services Department (HESD) Director, Jim Ireland, and Deputy Director, Ian Santee, join host Brandi Higa to discuss the department’s response during the recent Kona low storms (0:46). Then, with so many rescue calls going on, particularly when the Kona low 2 system hit O'ahu, HESD’s leadership team talk about the heroism of their personnel (...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Honolulu Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Jason Samala joins host Brandi Higa to discuss the department’s response during the recent severe Kona Low storms (3:40). Then, Chief Samala provides an update on the Waialua Fire Station that sustained flood damage (6:15). Finally, Chief Samala provides some lessons learned and advice for residents ahead of the next major ...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, host Brandi Higa sits down with members of the incident management teams (IMT) from the New York Fire Department (FDNY) and South Carolina State Fire. FDNY IMT Incident Commander Mike Burke talks about how the FDNY IMT came to be and what kind of events have prepared them to assist with the flooding on O’ahu (2:02). Later, Chief Matt Rhoton and Chief Jonathan Jones ...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to discuss the recent severe Kona Low storms (0:37). Later, Mayor Blangiardi addresses the steps we’re taking here at the City and County of Honolulu as communities recover (4:22). Then, the mayor talks about the decision to use Central O‘ahu Regional Park as a temporary debris field following the damaging floods (1...

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, Honolulu Police Department (HPD) Major Clifford Ramson, commander of the Major Events Division (MED) joins host Brandi Higa, to talk about the role MED plays during large-scale emergencies like a Kona Low (0:32). Then, Major Ramson shares some messages for the public ahead of the next expected batch of severe weather (2:35). Later, Major Ramson is also a resident of Wahiawā, an area impacte...

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, Molly Pierce, public information officer for the City’s Department of Emergency Management (DEM) joins host Brandi Higa, to talk about the role DEM plays following major disasters (0:45). Then, Molly Pierce discusses the City’s relaunched website, oneoahu.org, which is dedicated to Kona low disaster relief (1:54). Finally, so many have reached out looking for ways to help our fl...

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, Amy Miller, president and CEO at the Hawaii Foodbank joins host Brandi Higa, to talk about this year’s “State of Food Insecurity in Hawaii” report (1:52). Then, the City’s annual Food Drive is going on now, how you can get involved (16:36). Finally, Amy Miller talks about volunteer opportunities at the Hawaii Foodbank if folks aren’t able to donate food or fund...

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, Andy Kawano, director for City’s Department of Budget and Fiscal Services joins host Brandi Higa, to discuss the Mayor’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027. Director Kawano talks about how the administration was able to submit a budget that is $133.6 million less than the adopted FY 2026 budget (4:54). Then, Director Kawano talks about ways this proposed budget reflects Mayor ...

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, Hong Li, Deputy Director for the City’s Dept. of Transportation Services, joins host Brandi Higa, to discuss taking on a new leadership role (13:18). Then, coming off a deadly year on O‘ahu roads, Deputy Director Li talks about ways to make our streets safer for all (15:30). Finally, his thoughts on the future for driverless technology in the City and County of Honolulu (17:36).