The Rick Hamada Program

On this week's edition of Community Matters, Rick Hamada talks with incoming Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar. At the time of recording, Mr. Lazar was still a candidate for Chief, but on Tuesday of this past week, he was named the latest Chief of the Honolulu Police Department. Get to know the new chief and the experiences in his career that have shaped his views...and what he plans to bring to t...

A special edition of this week's Community Matters...as host Rick Hamada sits down with the Rev. Derald Skinner, lead pastor at Calvary Chapel Pearl Harbor, and talks about news and events and how persons of faith understand the things that happen and surround them in the world.

On this week's edition of Community Matters, Rick Hamada speaks with Kam Napier, editor-in-chief of Aloha State Daily, about the 2026 Hawaii Legislative Session. What was accomplished, what was pushed off to next year, and what was rejected for the state of Hawaii this year?

Episode 87 (13 June 2026): Today's Freedom Hour – Storms, Maps, and Money: Who Pays for Hawaiʻi's Growing Risks? As Hawaiʻi enters hurricane season amid new flood maps, wildfire emergency proclamations, and rising insurance costs, residents are asking who ultimately bears the risk when infrastructure fails. Tonight we examine the intersection of climate policy, deferred maintenance, government acc...

Episode 86 (6 June 2026): Today’s Freedom Hour – Housing, Accountability, and Hawaiʻi's Forgotten Families. Where Did the Housing Money Go? Recent federal housing corruption convictions in Hawaiʻi raise important questions about accountability, oversight, and public trust. This episode, Gary, Doug, and guest Laurie Thorson discuss affordable housing programs, Laurie's journey from homelessness to...

Episode 85 (30 May 2026): Today’s Freedom Hour – Technocracy Rising: Who Governs Hawai‘i’s Future? From digital IDs and AI surveillance to data centers, behavioral governance, and centralized planning, a new governance model is quietly emerging across America — and Hawai‘i is not exempt. This episode explores what technocracy really means, how the administrative state evolved, and why modern syste...

On this edition of Sustaining Hawaii, presented by Bayer, Rick Hamada starts things by talking to Alfredo Evangelista from Maui's Binhi At Ani Filipino Community Center about the the 57th Annual Barrio Fiesta! Then, we turn back to the studio with Darlene Loo-McDowell from 'Sharing the Butterfly Experience.', part of the 17th Annual Maui AgFest on May 30th.

Rick Hamada has a fascinating conversation with Travis Gaines, a 31-year Marine Corps veteran who talks about Mantech--a company that provides AI and advanced technology support to our military in forward areas to help all our servicemembers achieve the mission.

Rick Hamada spends the hour speaking with HPD Chief Finalist candidate David Lazar. Get to know David and his law enforcement background in San Francisco, including the final 3 years of his career there as assistant chief...and what he would bring to the HPD Chief position.

Rick Hamada wraps up Friday featuring a great hour with the fun people from the Hawaii Theater, eating great food and talking about shows coming up at Hawaii Theater!

Rick Hamada welcomes one of the finalists for Honolulu Police Chief to the studio--Mike Lambert, former Hawaii State Director of Law Enforcement.

Rick Hamada spends the hour talking with Kam Napier and Michael Brestovansky of Aloha State Daily about news headlines capturing the attention of Aloha State Daily readers...plus reflections on the Hawaii legislative session.

Rick Hamada starts off Friday morning with headlines, including the close of the Hawaii Legislature and the monk seal attack on Maui.

Rick Hamada once again welcomes Honolulu Civil Beat's Chad Blair to the show on a big day...the close of the Hawaii legislature is here! What has passed, what has failed, and how much is this session going to cost us?

Episode 84: Today’s Freedom Hour – What Matters: The Family Test for Hawai‘i Government. What does life actually feel like for Hawai‘i families right now? Today, we move beyond politics and examine the growing pressures facing local families — from affordability and housing to trust, accountability, and hope for the next generation. As another legislative session concludes, we ask whether governme...

Episode 83 (9 May 2026): Today’s Freedom Hour – Session’s Over: Now the People’s Audit. The 2026 Hawaiʻi Legislative Session is over — but what did the people actually get? This episode breaks down the scale, cost, and priorities of the legislative process, from thousands of bills and hearings to the small number of measures that survived. We explore the deeper policy patterns shaping Hawaiʻi’s fu...

It's time to talk real estate on Oahu with Richard Cricchio from Help-U-Sell Hawaii. Check out the latest listings on the market, new conveyance taxes about to be approved by the Legislature, and more!

Rick Hamada talks with Mike Mazzone, the President and CEO of Statewide General Contracting, about an exciting new product that Statewide offers exclusively to protect your home. Plus, Rick and Mike talk about home improvements, other exclusive Statewide products, and how you can improve the look and function of your home!

Mayor Rick Blangiardi has returned from his diplomatic visit to China...and is back in studio to answer your questions about that trip and everything happening in the City and County of Honolulu on this edition of Ask The Mayor. Mayor Blangiardi talks about negotiations with the Chinese delegation, including the possibility of bringing pandas to the Honolulu Zoo! Plus, the mayor answers questions...

Rick Hamada reflects off a Hawaii News Now report regarding fare increases for both ferries and flights being blamed on the war with Iran. While that certainly is a part of it, Rick digs deeper beyond the easy answer to ask the hard questions about cost increases blamed on one thing in the moment, but that are actually happening because of other circumstances.

May is American Stroke Month. A stroke can happen to anyone, at any age, and understanding your risk helps you take steps that protect your health. We will learn the stroke warning signs and how to prevent a future stroke. On this episode of Sustaining Hawai’i, brought to you by Bayer, Rick Hamada welcomes back the American Heart Association and will talk with Dr. Huidy Shu, board member for Heart...

Rick Hamada welcomes 2026 gubernatorial candidate Gary Cordery to the show to talk about the campaign, the big issues facing the people of Hawaii, and more! BTW, check out "The Freedom Hour" podcast on your iHeartRadio app -- every Saturday morning at 8AM on KHVH, Gary Cordery and Doug Pasnik talk in depth about issues you care about!

Rick Hamada welcomes Joe Kent and Ted Kefalas of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii to the show for a timely conversation about the end of the Hawaii Legislative session and what new bills are likely to be enacted in the final votes. Plus, both Joe and Ted talk about the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and what they do on a day-to-day basis to work and inform the people of Hawaii about how their gove...

On this week's episode of Community Matters, Rick Hamada speaks with Jennifer Santos, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA) for the City and County of Honolulu. Jennifer talks about her background and the exciting projects she has been part of...so far!...in her role with the city and county.

On this week's episode of Community Matters, Rick Hamada speaks with Hilton Raethel, MPH, MHA, who is the President and CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii. It's time to celebrate Hawaii's Healthcare Heroes--and Hilton talks about the program and the recognition + honor it bestows on those who achieve the designation of a Hawaii Healthcare Hero.