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, his first international trip as mayor to Japan, and the premiere of the much-anticipated series “Chief of War.”
Deadly year so far on O‘ahu roadways
As of the recording of this episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, there have been 44 traffic deaths on O‘ahu roads compared to 22 at the same time last year. The most recent involved a 25-year-old woman who crashed her car into a truck head-on while traveling the wrong way down the H1 Freeway on July 20.
“Let’s knock it off – come on,” pleaded Mayor Blangiardi. “I’m begging. I’m just one voice but on behalf of all the people who live here in the City and County of Honolulu, we talk so much about public safety, please don’t kill yourself, don’t kill somebody else. Be responsible.”
To further support safety on our roadways, the Honolulu Police Department will be setting up impaired driver checkpoints at unannounced times and locations across the island through the summer.
Mayor B goes to Japan
Mayor Blangiardi will soon be heading to Japan for his first international trip as mayor. His nine-day trip will take him to several cities including Hiroshima where he will attend a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bomb attack by the United States over the Japanese city that left thousands dead and forever changed the lives of so many more.
“I’m excited for a lot of reasons,” explained Mayor Blangiardi. “Part of the trip is really solemn but I’m still excited and very proud to have the opportunity.” He goes on to talk about the meetings he’ll be taking while he’s in Japan with officials from several of our Sister Cities.
Managing Director Michael D. Formby will serve as acting mayor while Mayor Blangiardi is out of town.
“Chief of War”
The worldwide debut of the Apple TV+ miniseries “Chief of War” is just over a week away. Several lawmakers and officials attended a Hawai‘i premiere for the Jason Momoa-led production shot in both Hawai‘i and New Zealand.
“This is up there,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “It’s not just the budget that they had but the writing and the story and the acting. You know they cast throughout all of the South Pacific and the people that are in there are just so authentic.”
Hawai‘i film workers are hoping this brings back some life to a sector that last year generated over $320 million for the state’s economy. “Chief of War” makes its global debut on Aug. 1.
