Richard John Blangiardi (born September 15, 1946) is an American television executive and politician from the state of Hawaii.

[6] When his mother moved back to Massachusetts, Blangiardi transferred to Springfield College, where he played for the football team and completed his Bachelor of Science in physical education and biology in 1969.

[12] He worked as chief operating officer and managing director of the talent firm Brad Marks International in 1999, and was hired that year by Telemundo to oversee its eight affiliates.

[13] In 2002, Blangiardi returned to Hawaii as the senior vice president and general manager of KHON-TV and KGMB.

[24] On March 31, 2023, Blangiardi signed a bill into law that established "gun-free" locations to prevent concealed-carry at a number of public places.

[26] Legislation for the commission was passed in 1990, but commissioners weren't appointed until 2023, when city council members Esther Kia'āina and Tommy Waters reintroduced it.

"[29] No prominent opponents had announced candidacies, and as a result, Blangiardi won a second term outright in the August 10 primary election with 79% of the votes.

This policy enacted a selective requirement on some forms of business that all persons who enter or work at the establishment have proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.

[31] About two months after the "Safe Access O'ahu" and gathering restrictions went into effect, Blangiardi began to walk them back.

In late November 2021, it was announced that capacity restrictions placed on businesses would be lifted provided that patrons have proof of being COVID-negative at least 48 hours before their visit.

[32] Blangiardi received some backlash for easing the policy, due to an increase of positive COVID cases as a result of the then-increasing Omicron variant.

[34][35][36] Blangiardi voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, and said, "I think a lot of his policies, despite his personal antics, have been effective".