Dave Lawrence
Dave Lawrence has been on the radio for over 25 years.
He’s hosted All Things Considered on Hawaii Public Radio since 2009, and has hosted afternoon radio in the islands since 2002. Previously he was music director and afternoon host for 105.9 KPOI, Honolulu; following five years there, he worked on-camera with Hawaii comedian/TV personality Andy Bumatai as a segment host on The Andy Bumatai Show. Prior to his time in the islands, Dave spent nearly a decade at CBS/Infinity Broadcasting’s WBCN and WZLX, in Boston as a member of the air-staff as well as producer for both afternoons with Mark Parenteau and AM Drive for The Big Mattress with Charles Laquidara.
He graduated from Emerson College, where he produced the communication school’s first music CD/ compact disc of material recorded live at the radio station, WERS Presents... Live On Gyroscope. The release won the NACB Creative Project Award in 1993.
Throughout his radio career, Dave has developed his skills as an interviewer, speaking with a wide range of diverse musicians and artists. From Ozzy Osbourne to Carlos Santana, Pete Townshend to James Brown, Smokey Robinson to Brian Wilson, Dave has interviewed hundreds of seminal artists, both in-person and on the phone. Dave has hosted a number of critcally acclaimed artists in HPR's own Atherton Performing Arts Studio, including Ben Vereen, Journey's Neal Schon, Ziggy Marley, Booker T. Jones, Hot Tuna, Godsmack, Taj Mahal and many others. In addition to the music features, Dave also hosts two weekly segments on Hawaii Public Radio. “Stargazer” is done with astronomer Christopher Phillips, giving listeners an idea what to look for in our island skies, plus tapping into the teams of researchers working at the Mauna Kea summit, and observatories around the world. “Helping Hand” is an extended interview segment which highlights organizations assisting the most vulnerable in the community, giving exposure to those that fight for the disabled and others facing special needs, including the homeless, those facing domestic abuse, the elderly and other at risk populations. Helping Hand underlines Dave’s passion for helping those in need.
Dave's exposure to radio and assisting community members in need is part of his family background; his mother Isobel worked in the radio industry, as well as being a disability design consultant and a strong supporter of disabled U.S. veterans.