Honolulu: 100 Police Officers Return to Patrol Duty

Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar is reassigning 100 officers back to patrol duty effective Nov. 1. The move aims to improve emergency response, create safer working conditions for department personnel, and lower overtime costs.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi discussed the decision on the One O’ahu Podcast. He described the action as strong executive leadership. Blangiardi stated that the chief took it upon himself to consult with his team and reassign staff to increase street presence. He noted that higher visibility on the streets serves as a strong deterrent to crime.

The Chief announced the reassignment during a press conference. The full recording is available on the Honolulu Police Department’s YouTube channel. The change takes effect at the start of the new month.

In a separate development, Blangiardi broke ground on the first phase of the Mayor Wright Homes redevelopment. The project is the largest public housing redevelopment in Hawai‘i. It occupies a 15-acre site in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood near Downtown Honolulu. The plan will replace the existing 364 homes with approximately 2,450 new affordable and workforce homes.

The new development includes green spaces, recreational areas, and community amenities. It will also feature new retail and commercial spaces. Blangiardi said modern development techniques will allow for the creation of quality, affordable living environments.

The Mayor also fielded questions from students in the City’s Nā Alaka‘i A‘o Mau program. The program, which translates to “learning leaders,” allows O’ahu students to interact directly with City directors and department leaders. In October, the City welcomed students from Kapolei High School to the initiative.

A group of Kapolei High School students joined host Brandi Higa on the podcast this week. Each student had the opportunity to ask the Mayor a question. Afterward, the students answered a question from the Mayor, reversing the typical dynamic of the interview.