Episode 171: Mayor Blangiardi on Tropical Storm Lala and the Climate Action Fund
On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa to talk about the cleanup and recovery following Tropical Storm Lala, the Youth Climate Action Fund, and Jason White as next Honolulu Liquor Commission Administrator.
Tropical Storm Lala
Many O’ahu residents woke up to downed trees, storm debris, low to no water pressure, and power outages on Sunday, Aug. 16 following Tropical Storm Lala. City workers were out in the days following the storm repairing traffic signals and removing fallen trees and branches. Thanks to the quick work, the City and County of Honolulu was able to resume normal operations by Tuesday, Aug 18.
“I do think that people were prepared and we certainly were prepared as a city,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “And I think that was the thing I felt the most encouraged by, because there really were serious lessons learned from the Kona Low.”
The City has also repurposed the website Oneoahu.org to connect residents with resources and information in the wake of Tropical Storm Lala. The page links residents with a form to report home damage, information about permitting and rebuilding, and how to dispose of storm debris, including green waste.
The Youth Climate Action Fund
The City has opened an application window for the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund. The Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) will provide agreements worth up to $4,999 to qualified youth-led climate projects that make an immediate impact in our Oʻahu communities.
“I think these young people coming up are probably much more versed than we ever were (regarding climate change) and they probably have a lot of good ideas going, and this is just a great chance to bring those ideas to fruition,” added Mayor Blangiardi.
For additional information about applying to YCAF, please visit: https://www.resilientoahu.org/youthclimateactionfund.
A new HLC Administrator
The Honolulu Liquor Commission voted to appoint Jason K. White, a veteran federal law enforcement executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience, as the Commission’s next Administrator.
“He’s a leader, he’s a decision-maker, and he wants this challenge,” said Mayor Blangiardi. He goes on to talk about his focus on transparency and regaining public trust.
White most recently served as a Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) in Hawaiʻi and previously held several leadership positions with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), including serving as a Unit Chief at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
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