Service restores emergency broadcasts to Ka‘u district
On November 6, Hawaii Public Radio initiated broadcast of its HPR-2 programming stream on KAHU-FM 91.7, serving the southernmost district of Hawai‘i island. KAHU had gone off the air earlier this year and ownership of the broadcast license for this community radio station was transferred to HPR in August 2013. Yesterday’s resumption of service also returns to the communities of Pahala and Na‘alehu critical access to emergency information.
“It is absolutely essential that this population be served, particularly when it comes to emergencies and civil defense,” said Michael Titterton HPR president and general manager. “We are well aware of the responsibility we hold to deliver consistent and reliable service. At the same time, we are looking forward to introducing listeners to the quality programming of HPR-2, including local, national, and international news and information, plus locally hosted music programs in a broad array of genres, such as jazz and Hawaiian.”
Initially, KAHU will only be heard in Ka‘u, but plans are underway to incrementally rebuild and expand the station's coverage until it reaches all of East Hawai‘i.
