Eighty-eight radio stations in Hawai`i?
Yes, there are, according to one list we found on the internet. But most people listen to only one or two of them. Surveys show, for example, that many of those who listen to public radio, listen only to public radio. And those who listen to a favorite station that plays "their kind of music," - classical or jazz for example - rarely listen to other frequencies. Sports fans often listen ONLY to sports stations, and so on. Some radio fans are addicted to talk radio, others to news. And yes, some listen only for Hawaiian music.
Many stations are weak, in terms of broadcast power, and reach only very small, select geographical areas.
And only a few of them play Hawaiian music. Most of the other stations are pretty much like radio stations anywhere, offering news (usually without the benefit of any news staff), and music - rock, Christian, hip hop, top-40, adult contemporary, oldies, ethnic, sports, easy listening, reggae, classical.
Little surprise then, that visitors to Hawai`i often scan the dial on their rental car and then ask a "local" resident: "Where can I find Hawaiian music?" And most local residents don't have an answer.
There have been, and probably always will be stations that play mostly Hawaiian music.
Ever since radio first came to the Islands in 1922 - KGU, then KGMB - Hawaiian music has played an important role. Charles E. King had his own show; so did Johnny Almeida. There were community "sing-alongs," with radio audiences using song books available at certain businesses to sing along with live music from well-known singers like Genoa Keawe. (Yes, she sang on Johnny Almeida's show on KGU.)
Us older folks can remember when Kaiser's KHVH broadcast Hawaiian music, and when K-LEI in Kailua beamed traditional Hawaiian music with a strong enough signal that we could pick it up clearly when driving in West Maui. KHVH is now a talk format, and K-LEI is no more. And remember when KNUI came into being on Maui, not only playing Hawaiian music, but flying the "Hawaiian Cowboy," Sol K. Bright to Kahului once a week to host a show.
Many of can remember when KCCN 1420 AM started, and for many years was "the" Hawaiian music station. KCCN call letters are now used for an FM station, 100.3 FM, and plays a contemporary mixture of reggae, jawaiian Jamaican and some "new" Hawaiian music.
So, where do you find Hawaiian music on radio.
Well, KINE, 105.1 FM, plays a lot of it. AM940, which for years was the only country music station in the Islands, now plays all very traditional Hawaiian recordings. That AM playlist is tops! Check it out.
AM940 Hawaii
Eleven years ago, when we launched "A Hawaiian Sunday with Keith Haugen," the idea was to fill a void caused by the increased popularity of reggae and Jamaican sounds that had all but replaced Hawaiian music on local radio.
Some programs, like Harry B. Soria Jr.'s "Territorial Airwaves" has been around a lot longer, and for years, played only music of "pre-Statehood." Harry, who comes from a radio family, still produces and hosts his show from 7 p.m. to midnight every Saturday on KINE. In fact, Harry has been broadcasting Hawaiian music for 27 years, the longest running music program in the Islands.
Harry B. and Holly
But now, it is possible to go to the internet for Hawaiian music and some of it is perhaps in a more traditional Hawaiian format than that of broadcast radio.
Hawaiian Rainbow is a good example. If you have a computer, you can go to this "station" and hear beautiful music 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That's pretty hard to beat, and its FREE.
"HawaiianRainbow.com is one of the most popular Internet Hawaiian radio stations. Hawaiian music streaming." said Rich Shipley, who hosts the broadcast our of Maui. "Broadcasting Hawaiian internet radio since 1999, this station has now grown to have approximately 80,000 hours of listening per month. I can only thank YOU for that. I'm glad you found Hawaiian Rainbow, and I hope you'll tell your friends!"
AlohaJoe.com is another great internet source for beautiful Hawaiian music.
Everyone in the music business in Hawai`i knows Aloha Joe, who just celebrated 12 years of "broadcasting" Hawaiian music on the internet. Hawaiian music fans all over the world listen to Joe every day.
Aloha Joe with K&C, producers and co-hosts of "The Music of Hawai`i," heard at 3 p.m. every Sunday on KIPO, 89.3 FM - Photo by Kathy Boast
Every once in awhile we hear about a station that plays some Hawaiian music, often a weekly program or two and many develop a good audience for their choice of music. When we gave up two hours of our Sunday slot on KIPO, Derrick Malama quickly developed a wonderful two-hour show, "Kanikapila Sunday" - 1 p.m. every Sunday at 89.3 FM, complete with interviews of currently popular musicians and singers. And he has developed a good following, folks who love his choice of music, mostly traditional Hawaiian music from contemporary artists.
Once again, Harry B's program is one of the best examples. Many of his listeners never miss a program, tuning in to hear old recordings you just can't hear anywhere else.
Harry B.
Here's a list... see if you can guess which ones play any traditional Hawaiian music at all. Then call them up and request your favorite Hawaiian song.
DKEAU - Hilo HI - 88.1
KHPR - Honolulu HI - 88.1
KHJC - Lihue HI - 88.9
KIPO - Honolulu HI - 89.3
DKIPU - Lihue HI - 90.1
KTUH - Honolulu HI - 90.3
KCIF - Hilo HI - 90.3
KPHL - Pahala HI - 90.5
KKUA - Wailuku HI - 90.7
KKCR - Hanalei HI - 90.9
KANO - Hilo HI - 91.1
KAQA - Kilauea HI - 91.9
KSSK-FM - Waipahu HI - 92.3
KHWI - Hilo HI - 92.7
KQMQ-FM - Honolulu HI - 93.1
KQNG-FM - Lihue HI - 93.5
KPOA - Lahaina HI - 93.5
KLUA - Kailua Kona HI - 93.9
KIKI-FM - Honolulu HI - 93.9
KEEI - Hanapepe HI - 94.3
KDLX - Makawao HI - 94.3
KUMU-FM - Honolulu HI - 94.7
KWXX-FM - Hilo HI - 94.7
KAOI-FM - Wailuku HI - 95.1
KAIM-FM - Honolulu HI - 95.5
KSRF - Poipu HI - 95.9
KPVS - Hilo HI - 95.9
KRTR-FM - Kailua HI - 96.3
KFMN - Lihue HI - 96.9
KNWB - Hilo HI - 97.1
KHNR-FM - Honolulu HI - 97.5
KKBG - Hilo HI - 97.9
KAWV - Lihue HI - 98.1
KJMD - Pukalani HI - 98.3
KDNN - Honolulu HI - 98.5
DKBQB - Princeville HI - 98.9
KITH - Kapaa HI - 98.9
KAGB - Waimea HI - 99.1
DKKGG-FM - Waimea HI - 99.1
KHUI - Honolulu HI - 99.5
KTOH - Kalaheo HI - 99.9
KJKS - Kahului HI - 99.9
KCCN-FM - Honolulu HI - 100.3
KAPA - Hilo HI - 100.3
KLHI-FM - Lahaina HI - 101.1
KAOY - Kealakekua HI - 101.5
KUCD - Pearl City HI - 101.9
KTBH-FM - Kurtistown HI - 102.1
KDDB - Waipahu HI - 102.7
KSHK - Kekaha HI - 103.3
KNUQ - Paauilo HI - 103.7
KPHW - Kaneohe HI - 104.3
KONI - Lanai City HI - 104.7
KINE-FM - Honolulu HI - 105.1
KBGX Keaau HI - 105.3
KPMW - Haliimaile HI - 105.5
KPOI-FM - Honolulu HI - 105.9
KLEO - Kahaluu HI - 106.1
KWYI - Kawaihae HI - 106.9
KKOA - Volcano HI - 107.7
KGMZ-FM - Aiea HI - 107.9
KMVI - Wailuku HI - 550
KQNG - Lihue HI - 570
KSSK - Honolulu HI - 590
KIPA - Hilo HI - 620
KRTR - Honolulu HI - 650
KPUA - Hilo HI - 670
KORL - Honolulu HI - 690
KUAI - Eleele HI - 720
KGU - Honolulu HI - 760
KKON - Kealakekua HI - 790
KHVH - Honolulu HI - 830
KHLO - Hilo HI - 850
KAIM - Honolulu HI - 870
KNUI - Kahului HI - 900
KKNE - Waipahu HI - 940
KHBZ - Honolulu HI - 990
KLHT - Honolulu HI - 1040
KHBC - Hilo HI - 1060
KWAI - Honolulu HI - 1080
KAOI - Kihei HI - 1110
KRUD - Honolulu HI - 1130
KHCM - Honolulu HI - 1170
KZOO - Honolulu HI - 1210
KNDI - Honolulu HI - 1270
KUPA - Pearl City HI - 1370
KKEA - Honolulu HI - 1420
KHRA - Honolulu HI - 1460
KUMU - Honolulu HI - 1500
KREA - Honolulu HI - 1540
KUAU - Haiku HI - - 1570
