Episode 180: Mayor Blangiardi on adding more HPD officers to patrol and fielding questions from Kapolei H.S. students

On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to talk about Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar’s decision to move 100 officers back to patrol, a redevelopment project at Mayor Wright Housing, then fields questions from Kapolei High School students taking part in the City’s student shadow program.

More HPD officers on patrol

Honolulu Chief of Police David Lazar announced in a press conference he will be reassigning 100 offices to patrol. The move, effective Nov. 1, will improve emergency response, create a safer working environment for department personnel, and reduce overtime costs.

“To his credit, and I would say it’s the kind of executive leadership and thinking that I like to see, that he took it upon himself with his team after consulting what they could do, was reassign 100 officers, get them back on the street, increase our street presence, which is a really strong deterrent to crime and other things,” added Mayor Blangiardi.

The entire press conference announcing the reassignment can be found on the Honolulu Police Department’s YouTube Channel:

Mayor Wright Homes

Mayor Blangiardi was on hand to break ground on the first phase of Hawai‘i’s largest public housing redevelopment project. The 15-acre Mayor Wright Homes redevelopment project is set to 2,400 new rental units in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood near Downtown Honolulu.

“With the development techniques of today and the know-how, we’re going to create green spaces, recreational areas for people, quality places for them to live, and it’ll be affordable,” said Mayor Blangiardi.

The plan calls for replacing the existing 364 homes with approximately 2,450 new affordable and workforce homes, along with new parks and gathering areas, community amenities and services, and new retail and commercial spaces.

Nā Alakaʻi Aʻo Mau

Nā Alakaʻi Aʻo Mau, which translates to “learning leaders” is a student shadow program in the City and County of Honolulu where O’ahu students get to interact directly with City directors and department leaders. In October, the City welcomed students from Kapolei High School. A handful joined host Brandi Higa this week on the One O’ahu Podcast; each had the opportunity to ask the Mayor a question before turning the tables and answering a question from the Mayor.

For school’s interested in taking part in Nā Alakaʻi Aʻo Mau, please contact the Hawai’i State Department of Education’s Workforce Development Branch.

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