The One Oʻahu Podcast with Mayor Rick Blangiardi

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Honolulu Emergency Services Dept. leadership discuss recent Kona Low storms May 07, 2026

Show notes

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 (13:32). Later, both men talk about the resources HESD utilized during the storm response and recovery (22:20).

Jason Samala, HFD Deputy Fire Chief and Waialua resident, discusses the recent Kona Low storms Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

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 disaster (9:45).

Members of the NYFD and South Carolina State Fire on providing incident management assistance on O'ahu Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

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 of South Carolina State Fire talk about the unique challenges we face here in the City and County of Honolulu (14:04). Then, their advice for residents as we prepare for future disasters (16:07).

Mayor Blangiardi on the recent Kona Low storms and next steps the City is taking to help residents recover Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

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 (17:30).

HPD Major Clifford Ramson on Kona Low storm preps and recovery Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

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 impacted by the last Kona Low. He explains what it was like for him to see his community come together, neighbors helping neighbors, to clean-up after a major disaster (7:53).

Molly Pierce from the Dept. of Emergency Management on Kona Low recovery Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

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 flood impacted communities, we talk about the best ways to do so (8:04).

Amy Miller of the Hawaii Foodbank on this year's annual report and the City's annual Food Drive Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

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 funds (20:44).

Mayor Blangiardi addresses affordability, cost of living concerns in 2026 State of the City Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi delivered his sixth State of the City address on Wednesday evening, outlining the City’s affordable housing accomplishments, permitting improvements and efforts across all City departments to tackle Oʻahu’s affordability crisis and prevent more of our island’s residents from being priced out of paradise.

Budget Director Andy Kawano on the Mayor's proposed budget for FY27 Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

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 Blangiardi’s priorities when it comes to technology, housing, and homelessness (19:14). Later, what happens next? Director Kawano explains the process that happens now that the proposed budget has been submitted to the Honolulu City Council (20:52).

HOSD Deputy Chief Jimmy Barros on a new leadership role and taking the department into the future Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

This week on the One O‘ahu Podcast, Jimmy Barros, Deputy Chief for the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department (HOSD) joins host Brandi Higa, to explain the evolution of the use of jet skis in ocean safety (3:25). Later, Deputy Director Barros discusses taking on a new leadership role at HOSD (6:37). Finally, Barros talks about his vison for creating a higher base pay for personnel and upward mobility within the department (11:01).

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