Former Honolulu Ocean Safety chief John Titchen, who left city employment after a very public clash with Mayor Rick Blangiardi, is back in the spotlight as a finalist to lead the island’s newly independent Ocean Safety Department. His reappearance in the running has zeroed in attention on how the new department will be led, how closely it will cooperate with City Hall, and what that means for a state where drownings remain a major public safety problem.
Who The Finalists Are
Titchen is one of three finalists for the permanent chief’s job, alongside Acting Director Kurt Lager and retired lifeguard supervisor Ron Bregman, according to Civil Beat. The Ocean Safety Commission has set a public meeting for Dec. 4 to hear testimony on the finalists, the…..