The One Oʻahu Podcast with Mayor Rick Blangiardi

Honolulu Police Department Sergeant Cameron Tuitele joins host Brandi Higa on this week's episode of the One O'ahu Podcast to share a story about the HPD training academy in Waipahu (2:00) and a young officer's experience on the Pali Highway (7:18). Then, Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Captain Gerald Pacheco recalls strange happenings in Kaka'ako (20:44) and Station 40 Kapolei (21:36). Later, John Pacheco, a management analysis for the Honolulu Fire Department, talks about his experience while working at HFD Headquarters (23:58)

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, HART executive director and CEO, Lori Kahikina joins host Brandi Higa to talk about Skyline’s segment II opening and what it took to get to this point (0:40). Then, Kahikina talks about Phase III of this project and how you can have a say in some design elements of the stations (9:10). Later, Bill 60 is making its way through Honolulu City Council which provides an opportunity for Skyline to expand. Kahikina explains what this Bill would do for HART and the support the measure is receiving (18:48).

Skyline, Honolulu’s rail system, opens it second segment to the public on Thursday, Oct. 16. Segment two extends the line from East Kapolei to Middle Street, and adds four stations. This week, we bring you audio from the historic opening ceremony for segment two held on Oct. 15, 2025. Mayor Blangiardi delivers remarks on the journey it took to get to this point (1:25). Then, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation CEO Lori Kahikina describes the different agencies and individuals who made this phase possible (19:22). Later, Honolulu Department of Transportation Services Director Roger Morton talks about what this segment means for the residents and visitors of O‘ahu (28:47).

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 (25:21).

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 pipeline over the next few months (15:51).

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 regenerative tourism and enacting the goals of Oʻahu’s Destination Management Action Plan (14:43).

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Asa Shimizu, chair of the Honolulu Youth Commission, and commissioner, Abiyanna 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 from being on the commission (19:55).

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 following this tragedy as well. We asked the two men about their experience with this (16:28).

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 health (25:52).

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to discuss the U.H. football team’s season opening win against Stanford (0:47). Then, Mayor Blangiardi provides an update on the feasibility on a project to restore the Waikīkī Natatorium (14:57). Finally, Mayor Blangiardi addressees the issue of COVID-19 Hazard Pay for Honolulu’s Firefighters (17:41).

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 time as a Bow (19:08).

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-view (19:53).

This week, Honolulu Zoo Assistant Director Jackie Peeler joins host Brandi Higa on the One O‘ahu Podcast to talk about what’s prepared her for this role (1:19). Then, Peeler talks about the importance of conservation and native species (9:13). Finally, she discusses AZA accreditation and why it’s so important (13:29).

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to discuss our recent surge in traffic deaths on O‘ahu roadways (4:27). Then, Mayor Blangiardi talks about his first international trip as mayor as he heads to Japan next week (6:13). Finally, Mayor Blangiardi reacts to the premiere of Chief of War and what this show means for Hawaii’s Film Industry (10:27).

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 Skyline (19:03).

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 (10:42).

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-year in revenue and rounds played (5:44).

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 (21:47).

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 communities forward when it comes to inclusivity and the contributions of all to our island home (25:25).