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 talk about the second Skyline segment between Hālawa (Aloha Stadium) and Middle Street (4:28). Then, Mayor Blangiardi discusses the new Food Hubs at Skyline Stations initiative, a pilot project funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies (13:56). Finally, a farewell to Aloha Stadium, the mayor reacts to his time playing and coaching in Hālawa (2...

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, Kevin Auger, director-designate for the City’s Department of Housing and Land Management, joins host Brandi Higa to talk about progress as it relates to combining Housing and Land Management into one unified department (0:49). Later, Director Auger discusses the solicitations for City properties and what this means for O‘ahu residents (4:30). Finally, the projects in the p...

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, Deborah Zysman, the new Deputy Director for the Office of Economic Revitalization, joins host Brandi Higa to talk about why she chose to join the City and County of Honolulu (0:46). Then, Zysman talks about ways her office is working to move Innovation and Technology forward in our community (12:07). Finally, preserving the home we know and love; Zysman talks about regener...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Asa Shimizu, chair of the Honolulu Youth Commission, and commissioner, Abiyana Moore, join host Brandi Higa to discuss why they chose to be on the Honolulu Youth Commission (1:34). Later, both commissioners explain the power the commission has to direct actual change in the City and County of Honolulu (5:17). Then, both young people reflect on the biggest thing they’ve learned so far...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Captain Malcolm Medrano and Fire Inspector Carl Otsuka of the Honolulu Fire Department join host Brandi Higa to discuss the importance of Never Forgetting 9/11 (0:50). Then, the group talks about ways the Sept. 11th attacks have changed the way fire departments across the nation prepare for disasters (5:22). Finally, recruitment and sentiment changed for those in the fire industry fo...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Jennifer Santos, executive director for the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts joins host Brandi Higa to discuss joining the City and what’s prepared her for this role (0:44). Then, Jennifer Santos talks about creating incubation spaces for artists and cultural practitioners (14:13). Finally, Santos describes her goals for the office which, she says, starts with organizational he...

This week, Colonel Ed Cruickshank, U.S. Army, Retired, Commander of the Rainbow Chapter of the Order of the Purple Heart joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to talk about National Purple Heart Day (0:44). Then, Colonel Cruickshank reacts to a recent Purple Heart ceremony at Honolulu Hale (1:43). Finally, with the 2025 UH football season just days away, Colonel Cruickshank, a former Hawai‘i running back reflects on his t...

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to discuss his recent trip to Japan (0:33). Then, Mayor Blangiardi provides an update on the effort to get more homeless individuals off the streets and into more permanent housing (12:52). Finally, Mayor Blangiardi reacts to the announcement that University of Hawai‘i home football games televised by Spectrum Sports will not be on pay-per...

This week, Honolulu Department of Transportation Services Deputy Director Jon Nouchi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to talk about the mounting deaths on O’ahu roadways (0:39). Then, HART begins trial operations this month for the next segment of Skyline; Deputy Director Nouchi talks about what this means (14:58). Finally, he describes a proposal now to change some bus routes to encourage folks to better utilize Sky...

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 the historic gains seen year-to-yea...

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 it comes to being a father (22:53).

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 describe what more can be done to move our...

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 the month of June, Serota explains...