November Mayor's Highlights Newsletter
News originally published by
City and County of Honolulu - Hawaii
This is a digital version of Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s newsletter for November 2026. You can also view the PDF version of the newsletter here.
Delivering on one of Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s top priorities, more affordable housing is being created at an urgent pace on Oʻahu, as demonstrated by multiple high profile groundbreakings and grand openings in various communities across the island.
In a span of two weeks in October, Mayor Blangiardi attended a grand opening for Kaleimaʻo Village in ʻEwa, a dedication ceremony for Hoʻohiki Senior Living in Kalihi, a groundbreaking for the redevelopment of Mayor Wright Homes in Kalihi-Palama, and the signing of a memorandum of agreement for an affordable housing project in Kakaʻako makai.
Kaleimaʻo Village provides 126 affordable rental units built on City-owned land. The first phase, with 79 units and the community facilities, is nearly finished just 17 months after groundbreaking. The move-in process for the first residents is underway. Kaleimaʻo Village was developed through a partnership between the City and County of Honolulu – Department of Housing and Land Management, the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), Stanford Carr Development, and Standard Communities.
“We are using City lands intelligently to rapidly and urgently address the affordable housing shortage on Oʻahu, while working hand-in-hand with tremendous and visionary leaders like Governor Josh Green and developer Stanford Carr,” said Mayor Blangiardi.
On October 14, Gov. Green and the State of Hawaiʻi held a dedication ceremony for Hoʻohiki Senior Living, offering new affordable rental homes for adults aged 55 and older, offering 249 units with monthly rent starting at $744 for qualified individuals. On October 22, the State also broke ground on the redevelopment of Mayor Wright Homes, with plans for 2,400 new rentals in ten towers, rejuvenating and reimagining what is possible in the Kalihi-Palama area.
Equally momentous was the announcement of a memorandum of agreement between the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, and local labor unions, to work toward building affordable housing in Kakaʻako Makai, the 3.3-acre area just to the west of Kewalo Basin Harbor. The area is envisioned to become affordable and workforce housing for Native Hawaiians. At the event, Mayor Blangiardi pledged the City’s stalwart support to make this project happen.
EMS Opens Two New Stations, Breaks Ground on a Third
Honolulu Emergency Medical Services (EMS) opened two new stations in October, in addition to breaking ground on a third station in September. The new facilities represent EMS’ deep commitment and dedication to providing life-saving services to the residents of Oʻahu.
A traditional Hawaiian blessing was held October 23 for a new station in Ko Olina, expanding EMS coverage for Ko Olina and surrounding communities, including Wai‘anae, Nānākuli, Makakilo, and Kapolei. By adding another ambulance unit to the Leeward coast, EMS is improving access to emergency medical services and better maintaining coverage when crews are transporting patients to hospitals outside the community.
The station’s 12-hour ambulance unit officially began operations on October 4. Since then, crews responded to more than 150 emergency 911 calls and transported more than 60 patients to emergency departments for further treatment. Calls have included serious medical emergencies such as strokes, cardiac arrests, traumatic injuries, and breathing difficulties.
On October 13, a blessing was held for EMS’ new Kaimukī ambulance station, expanding 24-hour emergency medical coverage in Kaimukī and surrounding communities. Located at 3650 Waiʻalae Avenue, the new station is strategically positioned between Honolulu EMS’ Pawa‘a One unit, near the Honolulu Zoo, and the Wailupe station. The Kaimukī unit provides coverage for Kaimukī, Pālolo Valley and Kāhala.
Meanwhile, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in September to replace an existing facility along Kamehameha Highway.
Since 1997, the Kahuku EMS unit has operated out of a 900-square-foot facility. The new station will be more than 3,000 square feet and feature a tandem ambulance garage, replacing the existing single-stall garage.
The new facility will also include a kitchen, dedicated office space, two crew break rooms, two bathrooms, a shower, and a decontamination room.
“The new Kahuku EMS station is an important investment in that infrastructure and in the men and women who serve our communities every day,” said Mayor Blangiardi.
HPD Honors Five Officers for Acts of Bravery and Lifesaving Efforts
The Honolulu Police Department honored five officers for their exceptional courage during HPD’s Spring 2026 Chief’s Awards ceremony at Mission Memorial Auditorium.
Sergeant Jonathan D. Frye was given the Warrior Silver Medal of Valor. While off duty on June 24, 2026, Sergeant Frye noticed a fire at his neighbor’s home and rushed inside after receiving no response at the door. He located an adult and three children and directed them to safety.
Corporal Gordon F. Gomes Jr. was given the Warrior Bronze Medal of Valor. On February 26, 2026, Corporal Gomes helped an elderly couple escape a flaming vehicle on the Likelike Highway.
Another Warrior Bronze Medal of Valor was given to Officer Tyler H.K. Kaio. During the March 2026 Kona low storms, Officer Kaio entered a flooded home on Kamehameha Highway to help rescue a man and four young children. Shortly after evacuating the family, the home collapsed.
Officers William M. Takvorian and Kenric K. M. Pai were awarded the Certificate of Merit.
On March 19, 2026, Officer Takvorian responded to an attempted murder involving a victim with multiple stab wounds. He administered lifesaving first aid to keep the victim alive.
On April 13, 2026, Officer Pai provided lifesaving assistance to a fellow officer who suffered a severe heat-related medical emergency during training.
“Every day, our members do important work, often without recognition,” said HPD Chief David Lazar. “Today, we recognize those who have answered the call to go above and beyond what’s expected of them. I’m incredibly proud of their dedication.”
Aloha and Mahalo, Dr. Sasha Breland
The City is bidding a fond aloha to Dr. Sasha Breland, who has served as the Deputy Medical Examiner at the Department of the Medical Examiner for the past two years.
Dr. Breland is moving to Houston with her husband and daughter, where she is taking a position as Deputy Chief Medical Examiner at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
Among her many accomplishments during her time in Honolulu, Dr. Breland was able to secure grant funding for efforts related to the Department’s mass fatality response.
The Holidays Are Almost Here!
Christmas decorations are being installed in and around Honolulu Hale on the Frank F. Fasi Municipal Grounds ahead of the annual and beloved Honolulu City Lights celebration.
This year, you may notice characters and decorative displays scattered in new and different locations, along with some of the new and dazzling pieces from Show Aloha Land founder Mike Gangloff, who generously donates the structures and labor to install them.
The famous tree will be installed in front of Honolulu Hale on Wednesday, November 18. Opening night and the lighting ceremony will happen Saturday, December 5.
Mahalo to the hard-working crews at the Department of Facility Maintenance for bringing the holidays to life for Honolulu!
Giant Panda Sculpture From Chengdu Gifted to Honolulu
A 70-pound giant panda made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic has made its home inside the Mayor’s office.
The colorful sculpture was gifted to the City and County of Honolulu from the Mayor of Chengdu, Chen Shuping.
The panda was designed by art brand Gogopandart and commemorates the 15th Anniversary of the Sister City Relationship between Honolulu and Chengdu.
One side of the sculpture features a beach, surfing, and hula scene to celebrate Honolulu; the other side honors Chengdu, with depictions of the city’s skyline and famous landmarks.
College Walk Cleanup
The hard-working team from the City teamed up with HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union to clean up College Walk in Chinatown.
Crews volunteered their Saturday morning repainting tables, benches, bridges, pillars, bollards, and other structures, covering up graffiti and giving the area a refresh.
HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union is located next door to College Walk, and the City owns the walkway abutting the canal, so they teamed up to give the area a little care.
Recently, the government of Taiwan announced that it would move forward with a comprehensive redevelopment of the neighboring Chinatown Cultural Plaza, which has fallen into disrepair. The announcement comes after years of sustained advocacy by Mayor Blangiardi. Mayor Blangiardi has made Chinatown revitalization a priority throughout his administration, with the City investing significant resources in public safety, sanitation, infrastructure, and public-space improvements.
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