Phil Miyamoto, a Hilo native who had a long career as a radio personality and programmer in Honolulu and on the mainland died Monday at age 55.
Phil Miyamoto, a Hilo native who had a long career as a radio personality and programmer in Honolulu and on the mainland died Monday at age 55.
Miyamoto, who went by “Phil Abbot” on the air, was morning host and program director at KOOL Gold 107.9 in Honolulu, an oldies station that rose to No. 3 in the Honolulu metro market with Abbot at the helm since February 2012.
The station’s website praised Abbot as an “old-school DJ” and said he died of natural causes.
Miyamoto, a Hilo High School graduate, rose to prominence in Honolulu in the 1980s as half of the KPOI-FM 98 Rock morning show “Rabbett and Abbot.”
“It was a great partnership,” Robert Abbett, aka “Rabbett,” said Thursday. Abbett said when he was tabbed to be the station morning host, he told management, “‘Hey, that guy does a really good impersonation of Larry Price. I want to work with him.’” And Miyamoto’s signature character “Larry Vice” was born.
“It was really fun working with him. I love the man,” Abbett said.
Miyamoto left Hawaii and worked on the mainland for 17 years, including a stint with Los Angeles radio legend Rick Dees on the nationally syndicated “Weekly Top 40” program.
He returned to Hilo a few years back for a brief stint as morning personality on KAPA-FM. Josh Pacheco, Pacific Radio Group’s program director, remembers Miyamoto as “just a pro’s pro.”
“He was a quiet, hardworking guy who didn’t make too much noise about himself,” Pacheco said. “Obviously, the Oahu market gave him an opportunity to go back there and it was good to see him successful there again.
“It’s just sad that he’s gone — way, way, way too soon.”
Miyamoto is survived by his wife, Joyce, and two adult sons, Justin and Eric Miyamoto.
Services are pending.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.