Raised in the urban core communities of Kakaa'ao and Kapahulu, Brickwood attended the Kamehameha Schools, the Pacific University in Oregon and the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government.

After high school and college, Galuteria went to work as a tour director in Hawaii’s Visitor Industry, eventually joining Hawaiian Airlines as both a Sales Account Executive in Waikiki and a Promotional Representative traveling extensively throughout the world promoting Hawaiʻi and the carrier. 

Galuteria gave up corporate life to pursue interests in music and the entertainment industry. He performed music with Marlene Sai at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for three years before pursuing a solo career and receiving the coveted Na Hoku Hanohano Award in 1985 for Male Vocalist of the Year and Most Promising Artist.

In 1980, Galuteria began his radio career on air with KCCN 1420 AM, and later launched both KCCN FM100 and Hawaiian 105 KINE as co-host of their Morning Shows. With a radio career spanning almost thirty years, he was instrumental in Hawaii’s musical renaissance of both traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music as well as the emergence of the Island Music genre commonly referred to, at the time, as “Jawaiian” (Jammin’ Hawaiians) music. 

Galuteria also worked in television, film and video. He was an actor on television with roles on Hawaiʻi Five-O and Magnum P.I. and served as host on such local shows as Hawaii's Kitchen, Treasures the Easter Seals Telethon on KHON-2 and KITV4's Ho‘oulu Lahui Aloha. He currently hosts a popular television show called Kupuna Power, a weekly opportunity to watch Seniors of all ethnicities, all backgrounds, all faiths and all persuasions share stories and learn lessons of empowerment.  

Galuteria has been a spokesman for the State of Hawaii's Department of Agriculture, the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau, Bank of Hawaiʻi and Mike McKenna's Windward Ford, in addition to commercial voice-over work he's done for numerous in-house TV, radio and political campaigns. He has also produced and promoted numerous productions, including the Aloha Festival Concerts, Miss Hawaiʻi Pageants and the Coca-Cola Beach Concert Series.

He served as Hawaiʻi State Senator Brickwood Galuteria for ten years, from 2008 through 2018 representing District 12 encompassing the Honolulu communities of Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kaka'ako, and portions of McCully-Mo'ili'ili. Senator Galuteria served as the Senate Majority Leader and was assigned to four major committees: Ways & Means (WAM), Education & Housing (EDH), Public Safety and Military Affairs (PSM). He was also named Chair of the Committee on Tourism (TSM) and Hawaiian Affairs (HA).  

After a brief hiatus, he re-entered the political arena emerging as a Trustee for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a semi-autonomous state agency established to improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians. Into his fourth year, he serves as the Chair of the Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment Committee which, in large part, deals with Legislative matters. 

Brickwood proudly sailed as a Crew Member on the sailing canoe Hokule’a serving as Media Coordinator aboard the 1992 “No Na Mamo… for the Generations” Voyage for Education during which did daily radio reports to Hawaiʻi. In addition, he facilitated dialogue of a historic link between Hokule‘a, NASA Houston, Hawaiʻi Schoolchildren (UH PeaceSat) and the Space Shuttle Discovery. "No Na Mamo" was an educational model for Hawaii’s children tracking Hokule‘a throughout the Hawaiʻi/Tahiti/Cook Islands/Tahiti/Hawaiʻi voyage. He was also a Board member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Spiritually, Brickwood Galuteria is a lifelong member of the Kawaiaha’o Church, Hawaii’s Westminster Abbey of the Pacific. His spiritual service includes Chair/Member – Board of Trustees, Church Moderator and Committee Chair/Member of the: Church Endowment Fund...Joint Planning Committee...Pastoral Search Committee and Capital Campaign.

In conclusion, Brickwood M. Galuteria’s life and career reflect a rare breadth of achievement grounded in service, culture, and community. From shaping Hawai‘i’s musical identity and elevating local voices in media, to guiding public policy and advocating for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, his contributions span generations and sectors. Whether on the airwaves, on the stage, in the legislature, or aboard Hōkūleʻa, he has consistently worked to uplift Hawai‘i’s people and preserve its heritage. His legacy is one of leadership with purpose—bridging tradition and innovation, and leaving an enduring impact on the cultural, civic, and spiritual life of Hawai‘i.