The Rick Hamada Program

Rick Hamada talks with a man with a big title--Matias Lira, Senior Vice President of Sales for Crystal Cruises and the Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group--about our just-announced 14-day adventure in Europe aboard Crystal Cruises' Symphony in April 2027. Get to know Crystal Cruises, what's onboard, and the incredible value you receive by booking this bucket-list cruise NOW with NewsRadio 830 KHVH and Crystal Cruises.

Rick Hamada and Chad Blair from Honolulu Civil Beat get together for a few moments to talk about the hot stories and features that you'll see and enjoy at civilbeat.org. A big focus is the upcoming primary election, with plenty of candidate Q&As in the pages of Civil Beat. Plus, affordable housing across the state and other big reader favorites are discussed.

It's your time each week with Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar and Rick Hamada on Ask The Chief. Continue getting to know our new Honolulu Police Chief, his philosophy on policing, and more...with your call-in questions answered too! Plus, the chief talks about one of his outstanding officers, Roxanne Montalbo, who was awarded recently the *first ever* U.S. Department of Justice Hometown Hero Award.

Rick Hamada reacts to a Hawaii News Now story on election integrity in the state -- with dead people *still* receiving ballots and other problems being utterly dismissed and not addressed in any substantive way by Scott Nago or the Hawaii Office Of Elections.

Rick Hamada & Richard Cricchio of Help-U-Sell Hawaii are together again this morning, breaking down Oahu's (and Hawaii's) still-hot housing market. With a median home sale price of $1.2 million and condo sale price nearly $600,000...is there any hope of price breaks in the future?

Rick Hamada reconnects with Linda Dela Cruz, former KHVH producer and news anchor, who joins us this morning to talk about the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii--an organization that supports Hawaii's Filipino community in various business and community endeavors.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is in studio this morning for the latest edition of Ask The Mayor. Of all the issues facing Honolulu and the state itself, one has leapt to the top of the list: what's up with the new driver's license design??? After giving a very animated response to this issue at a press conference earlier in the week, Mayor Blangiardi gives a more in-depth analysis of the decisions that were involved with the new license and Hawaii state ID....AND tackles other, more pressing issues too!

Rick Hamada continues his thoughts and observations about Hawaii's 1st Congressional District election primary on the Democrat side, with incumbent Congressman Ed Case facing down a challenge from Jarrett Keohokalole

Rick Hamada starts Wednesday morning with observations about the Democrat primary between incumbent Congressman Ed Case and upstart challenger Jarrett Keohokalole.

On this episode of Sustaining Hawaii, brought to you by Bayer, we sit down with Taylor Kellerman to explore the hidden agricultural powerhouse behind Kualoa Ranch’s famous movie sets. Producing nearly 200,000 pounds of food last year, Kualoa is emerging as a leader in local food security in the agritourism space. We dive into their modernized ahupuaʻa system, the realities of farming in Hawaii, and their mission to reduce the island’s reliance on imported food.

Rick Hamada spends a few moments with University of Hawaii Athletic Director Matt Elliott--talking about the upcoming UH Football season, Timmy Chang's new long-term contract, the new television contract for UH Sports with Hawaii News Now, NIL (name/image/likeness) payments, the Mountain West, and more!

Rick Hamada talks with John Hiltz, CEO of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and former Navy pilot (most famously with the Blue Angels). Rick and John discuss the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum for a few moments, but the heart of the conversation is about current actions in Iran and missions involving pilots and crew across the services.

Rick Hamada checks in with Michael Kitchens, operator of the Facebook page Stolen Stuff Hawaii, about recent headlines and crime trends affecting his users here on Oahu.

Rick Hamada spends a few moments reflecting on problems identified in Hawaii in the mid-1990's when the Rick Hamada Program started in the morning on KHVH...and how, by several measures, there hasn't been much improvement in several areas...including broad categories such as childhood education and overall business climate.

Episode 92 (July 18, 2026): Today's Freedom Hour—Trust, but Verify: The Systems Behind Your Vote. Newly released federal intelligence and cybersecurity documents reveal that election security extends far beyond voting machines. This episode explores the principles of a verifiable election system and examines why those lessons matter to Hawaiʻi's election process, independent oversight, and public confidence. Join us as we move beyond headlines to discuss transparency, verification, and good governance.

Rick Hamada reacts to President Donald Trump's address to the nation last night regarding Chinese hacking into America's voting system.

Rick Hamada spends a few moments with John Starkey from Starkey's Auto Repair about business, striving to be the best in the field of auto repair, and more!

Rick Hamada checks in this week with Chad Blair from Honolulu Civil Beat, with a lot of primary election politics in focus this week. Plus, Chad "humble brags" about a recent award given to Civil Beat for their excellent news coverage.

For the first time since being sworn in last week, Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar is in studio with Rick Hamada for his first episode of "Ask The Chief" on NewsRadio 830 KHVH! Get to know Chief Lazar and call in your questions for the Chief about policies, procedures, and current headlines involving HPD. (NOTE: Ask The Chief will happen, schedule permitting, every Thursday at 7AM on NewsRadio 830 KHVH)

Rick Hamada takes a few moments to talk with Mike Mazzone, President of Statewide General Contracting and Construction. Learn more about this incredible local business and their products...including a fire-resistant product that could give your family valuable time in case of a structural fire.

Rick Hamada connects with Tom Yamachika from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii to talk about Tom's latest column regarding the "Empty Homes" tax that may be imposed upon homeowners who do not occupy or rent out their property.

It's a lively Ask The Mayor with Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi this morning on NewsRadio 830 KHVH! Answering questions about closed bathrooms and surfboard racks in Waikiki, tsunami lessons from the warning one year ago and more...the mayor also details his discussions with Taiwanese delegates regarding the crumbling Chinese Cultural Center.

Rick Hamada reacts to a Hawaii News Now story detailing the HGEA's endorsement of Christy MacPherson over longtime Senator Donna Mercado Kim after Kim and Samantha DeCorte chastised members for their vocal demonstrations during Senate hearings on school administration this past session.

Ira Mehlman from F.A.I.R. is back with Rick Hamada to talk about the latest enforcement efforts through Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other agencies to remove those here illegally in the United States.

Rick Hamada again welcomes Colonel Ray "Frenchy" L'Heureux (Ret.) to the program to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and more.

Rick Hamada continues the discussion about the situation happening with the Hawaii Elections Commission and how detrimental it is for *confidence* in elections in the state.

Rick Hamada speaks with 2026 Hawaii gubernatorial candidate Gary Cordery and Doug Pasnik of the Aloha Freedom Coalition about the absolute circus of failure happening with the Hawaii Elections Commission. Fewer than 45 days from a primary election, the Commission is being blocked from doing its job due to the chairman abandoning his position and other factors. Rick, Doug, and Gary discuss it all and how Hawaii citizens can bring pressure to break the logjam and have the Elections Commission do it's assigned job.

Rick Hamada speaks facts -- not emotion -- while talking about the latest ICE-involved shooting in Maine.

He's been teasing it for the past week, and this morning it's official! Rick Hamada is heading back to Europe and wants YOU to come along on the Crystal Symphony. Get all the details about this luxury cruise...with plenty of travel options and included experiences...right here! And make your plans to join us next April!

Rick Hamada speaks at length about the rise of socialist / communist candidates for office and the dangerous lure of their pitches that always end in horrible policy. Rick reaches back to the past for wise words from legendary economist Milton Friedman who clearly cuts through socialism's lies.

Rick Hamada once again welcomes Joe Kent from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii back to the show for a full conversation across several topics--leading off with an issue that is evergreen in Hawaii: affordable housing.

On this week's edition of Community Matters, housing for our local community is in focus. Dan Ihara joins Rick Hamada for a great conversation about the world of real estate in a unique place like Hawaii and the specific decisions and decision points that you must consider for home ownership and other types of property ownership.

On this week's edition of Community Matters, Rick Hamada talks with the Enterprise Services Director for the City and County of Honolulu Dita Holifield about the department she oversees, including city golf courses and facilities like the Blaisdell complex and Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell. But, specifically the area in focus today is the Honolulu Zoo and new Zoo director John Berry is also in studio to talk about the exciting initiatives happening at the Zoo and the possibility of pandas being a part of the Honolulu Zoo in the future.

On this week's edition of Community Matters, Rick Hamada has a fascinating conversation with Christine Ogura, Superintendent of the Honouliuli National Historic Site, about the history of the site itself, current efforts to preserve it for future generations, and the opening of limited public tours of this piece of American history.

A busy news week comes to a conclusion on the Rick Hamada Program with a solid conversation with Kam Napier and Katie Helland from Aloha State Daily.

Rick Hamada has a full-length conversation with a familiar voice and face to many across Hawaii -- Tony Silva, now running for the Hawaii House of Representatives in District 26.

Last week, Rick Hamada wrote his weekly column about the coming Champions Tour Event that will take the place of the PGA Tour's Sony Open this coming January. This morning, Rick talks with Ed Kageyama of Pearl at Kalau'ao about the impact of this change, the players we will see, the differences in the course, and more this coming January.

Rick Hamada is joined by Chad Blair from Honolulu Civil Beat for their weekly conversation...a conversation that has increasingly turning towards Civil Beat's coverage of corruption at the State Capitol, spearheaded by the latest revelations in the case of Sylvia Luke. The Campaign Spending Commission is forwarding evidence for possible criminal charges--is this scandal about to get bigger?

After a few weeks of fun and vacation, Richard Cricchio returns to the Rick Hamada Program to talk real estate and more. Honolulu's median home sale price is up...again! Is there any slump in the market? What about interest rates? It's all that and more with Richard and Help-U-Sell Hawaii.

Rick Hamada spends the start of the 8 o'clock hour talking about the Honolulu City Council's likely override of Mayor Rick Blangiardi, with a vote coming up for later in the day. The override would kill the Office of Economic Development. (City Council did indeed vote 6-2 to override Mayor Blangiardi later this afternoon).

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Rick Hamada are together again after a few week break with a brand new edition of Ask The Mayor on NewsRadio 830 KHVH. LOTS of calls from people across the island for the mayor, plus Mayor Blangiardi reacts to the possible override planned for a city council vote later in the day -- an override that would kill the Office Of Economic Development.

Rick Hamada reacts to a fact sheet released by the Honolulu Police Department regarding a carjacking perpetrated by a 14 year old boy in Waianae against a 76 year old woman.

We continue our partnership with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii by speaking with Dr. Kristi West of the Health and Stranding Lab. We discuss her team's research on marine mammal health, rapid disease-detection technology, and the impact of plastic debris on local pilot whales, empowering listeners to better protect our marine ecosystems.

Rick Hamada reacts to FOX News' coverage on the latest rape accusations levied against Maine Democrat Senate candidate Graham Platner.

The Supreme Court has now made it's ruling on the 14th Amendment -- what will be the fallout? Ira Mehlman of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (F.A.I.R.) talks with Rick Hamada about what he's already seeing along the border and what will likely happen from this landmark ruling.

Rick Hamada starts Monday morning with a great in-depth conversation with Joe Kent and Ted Kefalas from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. Your taxes, your laws, your life...how are they all affected by the decisions our leaders make and how can you get involved with Grassroot Institute to affect change? Find out here!

Episode 91 (11 July 2026): Today’s Freedom Hour – When the People Can't Watch Government: The Story of Hawaiʻi's Elections Commission. This episode explores the unfolding controversy surrounding Hawaiʻi's Elections Commission and the larger question of independent election oversight. Joined by Commissioner Tamara McKay, we discuss why the Legislature created the Commission, how recent events have prevented it from organizing, and what this means for transparency, accountability, and public confidence. More than a story about one commission, this is a conversation about the role of informed citizens in preserving good government. Join us as we move from today's headlines to the enduring principles of self-government.

Episode 90 (4 July 2026): Today's Freedom Hour – USA 250: Freedom's Story — America, Hawaiʻi, and the Next Generation. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary and The Freedom Hour marks two years on the air, we explore the remarkable connection between America's founding principles and Hawaiʻi's own Declaration of Rights. Together we reflect on freedom, responsibility, constitutional government, and the enduring values of aloha, kuleana, and pono. Join us as we celebrate our shared heritage, revisit the lessons of two years of conversations, and ask what each of us can do to preserve freedom for the next generation.

Episode 89 (27 June 2026): Today's Freedom Hour – Duty to Think: Leadership, Conscience, and Truth in an Age of Crisis. As the documentary Duty to Disobey prepares to premiere nationwide, The Freedom Hour welcomes retired U.S. Army Colonel Ike Sallee to reflect on leadership during the COVID era and the enduring lessons it offers. Together we explore crisis leadership, information warfare, public trust, moral courage, and the role of discernment when authority, conscience, and truth intersect. What should Hawaiʻi learn before the next emergency? Join us for a thoughtful conversation—and add your voice to the discussion.

You hear Rick Hamada talk about Glenn Honda and Recovery Law Center every morning on the Rick Hamada Program -- and today, Glenn comes into studio and talks to Rick about his practice, personal injury, what should people be aware of when filing a case, and much more!