Why Should Filipinos Vote for Rick Blangiardi for Mayor of Honolulu?

I believe I have the right experience for the job, particularly during this challenging time, and I am passionate about making life better for the people of Oahu.

My parents were immigrants who worked hard to put food on the table. My dad was a machinist at the naval yards and in 1965, he was transferred to Pearl Harbor, which made it possible for our family to come to Hawaii. They gave me and my brother every opportunity to succeed in life and achieve the “American Dream.” Nothing was handed to us, we had to work for everything we received. I was the first in my family to go to college and, later, I received my master’s degree from the University of Hawaii. My brother became a Jesuit priest because of the desire to serve instilled by our parents. 

I played football and later coached football at the University of Hawaii. In the beginning, I made $15,000 a year as an assistant coach at UH. It was not easy to make ends meet and it was a struggle to provide for a young family.

I understand the concerns and challenges of immigrant families who want to make a better life for themselves and their children but find it challenging in an environment full of obstacles each step of the way.  The high cost of living, the even higher hurdle of affordable housing, and the shortage of good-paying jobs are just some of those obstacles.  Many people find themselves working several jobs just to make ends meet.  I have been there, and I know how it feels to worry every day and wondering how to give better opportunities for my children.

In my work, I have always been asked to come in and fix what has been broken. I have taken broken companies and turned them around to make them successful; from large market media companies to Telemundo, the largest Hispanic media company in the USA. I have always been responsible for working through challenges and finding solutions.  I have over five decades of proof that I get things done and achieve results, and that is what I will bring to the Mayor’s office.   I humbly ask for your vote because I am ready to get things done. 

As a friend of the Filipino community, I thank you for your support and join you in celebrating Filipino American History month through October. Mahalo and Mabuhay!

Why I Am Endorsing Rick Blangiardi as the Next Mayor of Honolulu ­– Colleen Hanabusa

Mabuhay.

Please permit me to begin by thanking you for the years of support you have given me during my incomparable political journey. A journey that would not have been possible but for the amazing support this Filipino Community has given me. I am writing to ask that you trust me once again in my endorsement of Rick Blangiardi for the next Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu. I trust Rick. This is because I believe in his experienced leadership and his ability to make the tough decisions. We know that he can draw upon a broad range of knowledge and a hands-on experience of dealing with all type of businesses, turning many of them around.

In this time of the pandemic, we need a leader who can turn failing situations to positives ones. Rick is not beholden to any group and is running for Mayor because he wants to serve you. He has always said this election is about you, and he sincerely means this. His combination of talents, executive abilities, range of administrative qualities, and proven leadership in whatever position he has held in the past will truly serve him in good stead as the next Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu.

On a personal note, I have come to appreciate his stable temperament which is so necessary as he tackles the challenges which he will face. Finally, please know that Rick will be a Mayor for everyone. He will not forget all of you who have stood by him, given him your support and worked so hard to help him become Mayor.

Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Mahalo and Mabuhay! Sidadayaw.

Why I am Voting for Rick Blangiardi for Mayor of Honolulu – Former First Lady Vicky Cayetano

COVID-19, a collapsing economy, record high unemployment and the ongoing rail debacle are some of the challenges facing the next Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu. These problems will not be solved without a strong and decisive leader who is not afraid to make the tough decisions. We need a leader who will provide a solution-based approach to our problems versus lockdowns that cripple our economy and leave so many people jobless. We need a leader who is not beholden to selective interests.

This is why I support Rick Blangiardi for Mayor. Rick has shown throughout his career the ability to creatively find solutions to complex issues; he thinks out of the box and he’s not afraid to make the tough decisions that so many of our government leaders keep avoiding.

As a football coach and through his various positions as a senior executive at CBS, President of Telemundo and most recently, as the general manager of Hawaii News Now (KGMB-KHNL), Rick has exhibited his ability to identify, recruit and develop talented individuals to build a strong team to turn around companies from failure to success. His experience is rich in its depth and success.

Rick’s decisive and clear communication skills will make him a Mayor who can articulate a vision with a plan that is communicated to all his constituents, bring people together to know what must be done and how it must be done. It’s time to elect a Mayor who has the experience, the heart and the ability to get the job done.

This is why Ben and I are supporting Rick Blangiardi for Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu and we hope you will too.