What Happens When Your Dream Job Rejects You? Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Incredible Journey
What would you do if the job you believed was your destiny—the one that tied your personal story, career, and life purpose together—told you “no”? For Mayor Rick Blangiardi, that moment of rejection became the turning point that led him down an unexpected, but profoundly meaningful path.
In this deeply personal episode, Rick opens up about the heartbreak, perseverance, and grit that defined his journey from aspiring athletic director to television executive to Mayor of Honolulu.
A Dream Denied
Rick Blangiardi thought he had found his calling: to become the Athletic Director at the University of Hawai‘i. With a lifelong connection to UH football as a former player, coach, and broadcaster, and a rich background in business and leadership, he believed this was the role that would bring everything full circle. But a cold, three-minute rejection call from the search firm shattered that dream. “We’re going to hire someone who’s currently an athletic director,” they told him—end of conversation.
That rejection didn’t just sting. It forced Rick to reflect on who he was, where he belonged, and what kind of legacy he wanted to leave behind.
A Life Reimagined
Rick didn’t wallow. Instead, he pivoted. Around the same time, he was approached to help turn around struggling television stations KHON and KGMB. That offer wasn’t the plan—but it brought him home to Hawai‘i. It wasn’t the job he thought he wanted, but it became the job that reconnected him with the community he loved and gave him a new sense of purpose.
He led an incredible media transformation, eventually merging stations and launching Hawai‘i News Now, the state’s leading multimedia company. He brought jobs, innovation, and strong leadership back to local broadcasting—all while nurturing his connection to UH athletics and the community.
The Winding Road to Public Service
Years later, another unexpected conversation changed everything again. Former Governor Linda Lingle asked Rick if he’d consider running for Mayor. At 73 years old, most would be thinking of retirement—but Rick still felt he had more to give. Encouraged by his wife Karen and driven by his deep-rooted love for Hawai‘i, Rick stepped into the arena of public service, winning the mayoral race in 2020 and re-election in 2024.
Throughout the episode, Rick shares moments of incredible vulnerability—losing his parents, raising children through difficult health challenges, and navigating the emotional complexity of being rejected by something you care deeply about. Yet, it’s those very moments that shaped his unshakable resilience and empathy as a leader.
More Than a Job
Rick’s story is a reminder that sometimes, not getting what you want is life’s way of pointing you toward something even bigger. His path wasn’t straight or easy. But it was real, purposeful, and anchored in love for his family and home.
So, what happens when your dream job rejects you?
If you’re Rick Blangiardi, you listen, you pivot, and you rise—higher than you ever imagined.
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