Island life is a way of life for weather anchor Justin Cruz. He grew up in the western Pacific island of Guam, where storms small and large, including super-cyclones, hit regularly. At seven, Justin began to work for the family business — a company his father founded and grew to be the largest pest control and chemical distributorship in Micronesia. His childhood also included numerous leadership and rank awards in the Boy Scouts, recognition as one of the youngest PADI-certified, open-water divers in America at the age of twelve, and the youngest on-air radio personality at seventeen.Trading one beautiful island for another, Justin moved to Honolulu to attend the University of Hawaii in 1996. Shortly after, he was offered a slot on a weekend radio show, which led to a decade-long career with KQMQ as program director and morning show radio host — big shoes to fill, as he took over the same morning slot once hosted by beloved radio personality Michael Qseng.
In 2006, Justin was approached by KHON2 News to anchor weather reports on the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts. His knowledge of and firsthand experience with wild weather in Guam, combined with forecast information provided by The National Weather Service in Honolulu, shaped his reports. Justin’s forecasts cover all Hawaiian islands with a primary focus to alert viewers of potentially dangerous weather events and how best to prepare. His delivery is conversational and free of sensationalism.
During his spare time, Justin enjoys traveling, eating at the many delicious restaurants in Hawaii and consuming TV documentaries. He volunteers as a board member of Lupus Hawaii and Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii, is a recurring cast member of the local Gridiron Show, and is a recipient of Pacific Business News’ “Forty Under 40” Award. Justin is also a professional Master of Ceremonies and a small business owner.
Justin may be reached at jcruz@khon2.com or ph. 591-4290.
