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, the feasibility of a project to restore the Waikīkī Natatorium, and COVID-19 Hazard Pay for Honolulu’s Firefighters.
Hawai‘i Football opens with a “W”
The University of Hawai‘i football team opened the 2025 season with a 23-20 win over Stanford at the Clarence T. C. Ching Complex on Aug. 23, 2025. Rainbow Warriors quarterback Micah Alejado threw for 210-yards and two touchdowns, despite suffering an ankle injury.
“Great beginning,” encouraged Mayor Blangiardi. “You can say what you will about Stanford’s abilities, inabilities, and whatever else (but) to win in the opener was really important.”
Saturday’s win was sealed by a field goal by Hawai‘i’s Kansei Matsuzawa. Up next, the Warriors embark on their first road trip of the season to face Arizona on Aug. 30.
The future of the Waikīkī Natatorium
After being closed since 1979 due to safety hazards, it appears restoration of the pool at the Waikīkī Natatorium is no longer feasible.
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we want to be honest with the public and the Friends of the Natatorium, and everyone else,” explained Mayor Blangiardi.
He goes on to say he is committed to having a memorial there to honor those who sacrificed during World War I. What that looks like is yet to be determined.
COVID-19 Hazard Pay for Honolulu’s Firefighters
In a meeting on Tuesday night, Mayor Blangiardi and Managing Director Mike Formby met with members of the Honolulu Firefighters Union to talk about negotiations for COVID-10 Hazard Pay. Three other public worker unions — UPW, HGEA and SHOPO — have collective bargaining agreement provisions that govern temporary hazard pay.
“Because of the money that was awarded to the other unions, these guys felt like we didn’t value them at $7,500,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “And actually, it was the opposite. That’s why we met with them to convey that.”
Mayor Blangiardi goes on to say that they will be looking at the budget for the next fiscal year to see if they can come up with other forms of compensation.
He goes on to add, “this is money that, as I look at it, we’re just investing in the future of the department. We definitely want to be able to do that.”
