
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: Hawai‘i not to blame for losing Sony Open
We fret locally about what Hawai‘i might've done wrong to lose major golf tournaments, but ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada says that changes within the golf industry itself made the loss inevitable.
Rick HamadaJuly 08, 2026

Hamada: Why I'm happily celebrating the Fourth of July
ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada remembers firsthand the tumultuous year of 1968 — and how Americans nevertheless united to celebrate the Fourth of July. He's keeping that spirit alive this year, even if some people seem determined to sit the party out.
Rick HamadaJuly 01, 2026

Hamada: Let me be a warning to you
ASD columnist Rick Hamada gets personal with some health news, in hopes that you'll be inspired to take better care of yourself.
Rick HamadaJune 25, 2026

Hamada: Commemorating Honouliuli
Events coming up this weekend recognize the 80th anniversary of the closing of the Honouliuli Internment Camp, where up to 1,800 Japanese and Japanese Americans were detained during World War II. ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada gives an overview of the history of the site, and the steps taken in the years after to attempt to right that wrong.
Rick HamadaJune 17, 2026

Hamada: My favorite things
There have been plenty of heavy topics to write about in recent weeks, so for this week, let's have fun. Martinis, anyone?
Rick HamadaJune 10, 2026

Hamada: North Shore beating sickens
A dozen boys and men ganged up on a 15-year-old boy this week, then turned on the young lifeguard who tried to save him. ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada asks — who the heck raised these people, and what are we going to do about this crime?
Rick HamadaJune 03, 2026














