
Rick Hamada
Aloha, it's a pleasure to meet you.
I'm Rick Hamada.
I was born in Chicago, Ill, raised in NW Indiana, lived and worked in California, traveled the world as entertainment cruise line staff which is what brought me to Hawai‘i over 35 years ago.
I am blessed to be associated with my first love dating back to childhood.
Radio and writing.
As a child growing up I found it remarkable that mom was in the newspaper business as section editor and a morning drive personality at our small town radio station. I was never at a loss for inspiration and I attribute so very much to my mom.
Fast forward.
Hawai‘i has blessed me to create a career and, most importantly, a family.
I recently celebrated 31 years at iHeart Radio Honolulu as a talk show host and serving as VP, Community Relations.
I was a MidWeek columnist for over 15 years, and I am so thankful to now share weekly thoughts with you at Aloha State Daily. As a a columnist for ASD, the views expressed are my own.
All pales in comparison with my two wonderfully adult children, Zachary and Zoe.
The ultimate entry on my life's resume is unequivocally being a dad. Thank you, Lord.
Oh, and I love golf, a good ribeye, a quaffable Cabernet and Lou Rawls (he could sing a phone book and sound great. And for those of you of a certain age, google "phone book" and you'll see what I mean).
I'm looking forward to spending some time together.
Mahalo and aloha.
Latest from Rick Hamada

Hamada: Remembering 9/11
It was about a quarter to 3 in the morning in Honolulu when the first plane hit the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. For many of us in the Islands, the first we heard of the attack was a strangely early morning phone call from a loved one who had seen the news. "Turn on the TV. We're at war." ASD columnist Rick Hamada describes getting such a call, then spending 30 hours on the air at KHVH as kama‘āina called in with their fears, tears and rage.
Rick HamadaSeptember 10, 2026

Hamada: A confession for Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month
When there's a month dedicated to a cause, we're suppose to talk about that cause, right? ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada has frank thoughts about this particular month.
Rick HamadaSeptember 03, 2026

Hamada: The hands that help when disaster strikes
In the wake of Hurricane Lala, we saw professionals who went above the call and neighbors who stepped up to help neighbors. Let's take a moment to appreciate the best of the aloha spirit.
Rick HamadaAugust 24, 2026

Hamada: Lack of investment in infrastructure taking a toll
This state has never had a money problem, it's had a problem setting priorities to deliver the basics and we pay the price every time a storm strains the system.
Rick HamadaAugust 19, 2026

Hamada: Don't be numb to warnings
Impending disasters get the same amount of hype in advance, whether they come to pass or not. With Tropical Storm Lala approaching, ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada says it's best to prepare for the worst rather than assume nothing will happen just because previous predictions fizzled.
Rick HamadaAugust 13, 2026

The races to watch
ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada talks about the races he's most closely watching in the upcoming Primary Election. Is it going to be Case or Keohokalole? Tokuda or Awa? What about the LG's race? And he has questions for you about the elections and politics in Hawai‘i for further discussion.
Rick HamadaAugust 05, 2026















