Honolulu Has a New Chief Resilience Officer

Mayor Rick Blangiardi has appointed Ben Sullivan as executive director and chief resilience officer for the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency.

1 minute read

September 16, 2024, 9:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


Aerial view of Honolulu, Hawaii with oceanfront.

jdross75 / Adobe Stock

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has appointed Ben Sullivan as the new executive director and chief resilience officer of the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency. Sullivan, who began his role on September 3, 2024, succeeds Matthew Gonser, who stepped down for family reasons. Sullivan previously served as the deputy director of the CCSR since June 2023 and has a background as an energy program manager and sustainability coordinator.

Blangiardi praised Sullivan’s leadership and expertise, expressing confidence in his ability to build on the work accomplished by Gonser over the past four years. Sullivan, who holds a degree in environmental design from the University of Colorado at Boulder, is committed to addressing Oahu’s climate challenges and advancing the city's resilience and energy sustainability efforts.

Gonser will continue his work in resilience and sustainability but is transitioning to a role with the Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office. Blangiardi acknowledged Gonser’s dedication and contributions, noting his role in establishing a strong foundation for the city’s climate preparedness.

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 in Spectrum News

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30 - Yale Environment 360