The One Oʻahu Podcast with Mayor Rick Blangiardi

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, near-drowning survivor Sherisse Domingo, joins host Brandi Higa, along with Honolulu Ocean Safety lieutenant Ryan Moniz, his 4-year-old son, Hunter, and Honolulu EMT, Mica Sundine – all rescuers who saved the 30-year-old’s life. Domingo recalls what she remembers that day at the Kāneʻohe sandbar (1:47). Then, Moniz, who was off-duty at the time, describes how teamwork from strangers and good Samaritans resulted in a miracle that day (2:43). Finally, after completely recovering with no neurological deficits, Domingo’s message to her rescuers (16:26).

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Honolulu Police Dept. Interim Chief of Police Rade Vanic joins host Brandi Higa to reflect on the anniversary of a fireworks tragedy in Aliamanu (2:27). Then, what is the law when it comes to fireworks reporting and violations (4:06). Finally, how to safely dispose of illegal fireworks (11:01).

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to discuss an emotional Thanksgiving 2025 (1:19). Then, Mayor Blangiardi talks about HNL 311 and how the City and County of Honolulu is using technology to move O‘ahu forward (11:09). Later, as we approach the anniversary of a fireworks tragedy in Aliamanu, Mayor Blangiardi shares his message ahead of the New Year’s Eve holiday (25:44). Finally, Mayor Blangiardi shares what he is looking forward to most when it comes to this year's Hawai'i Bowl (30:24).

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, the 2025 City Employee of the Year, Kevin Calleon, a captain with the Honolulu Fire Department, joins host Brandi Higa to reflect on winning this year’s honor (1:56). Then, Captain Calleon talks about his work with the department’s occupational health and safety programs (2:21). Later, Calleon discusses the role of the Peer Support Group (3:24).

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to discuss what you can expect for Honolulu City Lights 2025 (3:25). Then, Mayor Blangiardi talks about the Safe & Sound program in Wai‘anae (14:30). Later, how clearing out some tables in Waikīkī has led to safer conditions (19:10).

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, the 2025 City Manager of the Year, Christopher Clark, joins host Brandi Higa to reflect on winning this honor and the team at the Department of Transportation Services that helped him get here (1:39). Then, Clark talks about managing the City’s federal transportation funds (4:04). Later, getting to this point of the Ala Pono Bridge project has not happened without a lot of community input, Clark explains what happens next (18:05).

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, Kēhaulani Pu‘u, deputy director for the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation, joins host Brandi Higa to talk about what to expect this year at Kapolei City Lights (4:28). Then, deputy director Pu‘u reflects on the recent Mayor’s Arbor Day Ceremony at Pu‘u O Hulu Community Park (10:40). Later, she provides an update on the replanting effort after many trees on O‘ahu’s West Coast were devasted by the coconut rhinoceros beetle (13:22).

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, Dept. of Facility Maintenance (DFM) Deputy Director Warren Mamizuka and DFM Public Information Officer Chassity Santiago join host Brandi Higa to talk about expanding Honolulu City Lights to Thomas Square this year (1:27). Then, what to expect during Honolulu City Lights on the Fasi Civic Grounds (3:16). Later, dates, times, and details to plan your trip to the state’s most popular holiday display (5:51).

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).