AM 940 brings Hwn. steel back to radio

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 27 Jan 2005 2:53 pm

Finally a station on Oahu is playing (some of) the good old stuff again, KINE, with Sam Kapu. Nothing older than The Son's of Hawaii (yet, only late 40's +), but it's a great improvement from what we've had to suffer thru since the demise of KCCN. Lot's of fine steel playing on at least 75% of what I've heard so far today, and some that I've not heard before (!), that's a good sign. I'd given up on hearing this stuff on the radio again, but somebody got brave and now it seems like it's Hawaii once more. You used to be able to walk down any street and enjoy song after song as everybody had KCCN on. I hope these guy's stick around.

OOOH, here's something pre war..., very cool.

They not only give song info after a long uninterupted set, but every 30 mins. they play the classic time/station voice over with that great steel vamp in the background from KCCN days, awesome!

And, no commercials!!

Happy days are here again!

Now, if only my new shell pink strat had shown up in the mail today...[This message was edited by Ron Whitfield on 27 January 2005 at 02:58 PM.]

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 27 Jan 2005 4:54 pm

YEE-HA Ron. 2:53 PM here and KINE is ripping it up with old great Hapa / Steel songs. THANKS A MIL for the posting and to KINE and Sam.

Aloha,
Denny T~
[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 27 January 2005 at 04:57 PM.]

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 27 Jan 2005 5:00 pm

It must sound pretty authentic coming out of the AM dial!

Now all you need is one of those big old tube radios that take 30 minutes to warm up.

------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 27 Jan 2005 6:10 pm

You know it, Denny.

I just left Bobby Ingano at 'shiro's and he was all stoked about it too, saying that the guy's who were responsible for the old KCCN got this together. Now if they can get the power rating up so it's actually listenable moving around in town, which does kinda give it the old radio style of listening 'enjoyment' (in/out, l'dat).

I'm not convinced the station is indeed KINE, but with Sam at the helm, I assumed it was. But it's definitely 940 on the AM dial, if you can bring it in. Glad to hear they have a boost for the N. shore area, Denny.

A'ha, just heard KKNE is the call letters, so maybe Sam jumped ship, or they have a sister station.

I heard some pre war Johnny Almeida earlier, so this promises to be some serious relief.

Set the recorders!

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 27 Jan 2005 8:08 pm

You bet Ron.

I hope I can find the time to drag the old VHS hi-fi out and set it on 12-hour SP/EP ....before some bean-counter changes their minds!

It comes in strong out here in Waialua, where some other AM's don't; Might be hooked up to the Mt. Kaala repeater a rifle shot from here. Do you know where their tower is located? The KDEO Kunia Rd. tower maybe? Wonder if they're entertaining an online link? They'd probably be able to get an HCH (Hawaii Committee for the Humanities) grant for that.

Think I'll give'em a call and get some more info.

Aloha,
DT~
[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 29 January 2005 at 02:00 AM.]

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 27 Jan 2005 10:11 pm

Aloha Ron and Denny!!

You brahs think we could start a movement for this good kind stuff.

I'll do what I can when I come to Hawaii in April/May. The HSGA will have it's bi-annual convention then at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel.

Maybe we can get some more locals fired up.

I used to live in Makiki and Kailua (14 years) and listened to KCCN all during the day. Those were great days.

Let's brain storm some ideas about movement!!

Aloha no,
Don

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 27 Jan 2005 10:32 pm

Hey guys...has KCCN gone completely off the air ? Brickwood and Harry B ? I recall the owners on the mainland decided go with Sports and Talk a few years ago which to me was a disasterous decision ! I have about 50 + tapes of the good old days of KCCN and "Territorial" programs which I rotate in my car...sure a lot better to listen to than the mundane crap heard on all our local radio stations![This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 27 January 2005 at 10:33 PM.]

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 28 Jan 2005 1:05 pm

Denny, I have no idea where or how they get the signal, but it always put a smile on my face to get good radio when I lived at 'longbridge' in the early 80's. Lucky you!

For those who may not know, Denny is one of the tastiest blues/rock players any where, and proves it on those funky old Dano's. I sure do miss those day's at the Sugar Bar in Waialua.

Keoki, who cares what those jerx at KCCN are doing now. They threw away a State institution when they kicked out Hawaiian music and who knows what they did with that incredible library of music. I'm wondering if the new station got any of it. With your fab collection on the air, we could blow minds and have no problem generating a resurgence in the good stuff again. So pack an extra duffle bag when yooz makes it over in April/May!

Don, any revitalization of 'what was' will take a monumental effort, but the first step was to get a station willing to play the old Hawaiian music again. One problem is, that as good as the stuff is that this new station is playing, there are many more exciting examples of the REALLY good stuff that the unsuspecting public needs to be exposed to. Like the early day's of Hawaii Calls, when David Kelii was on steel, or the unbelieveable shows that Alfred Apaka and the Hawaiian Village Serenaders (w/Jules Ah See on steel!) put on. These recordings somehow managed to survive the years and anybody who ever heard this great music will attest to it's undeniable brilliance and enjoyability, eh Keoki?. To just hear the reletively small collection over and over of what a typical local station can provide ultimately kills off all but the most dedicated listeners. And now that even the regular old stuff has been off the air for so long makes the effort just that much more difficult. But exposure is the key. These are areas where I wish the HSGA/or whomever has clout (please, don't get upset Gerald) would really focus on. It's a battle that can still be won, but...

I'm all for a meeting of the minds to hash this out, so any ideas you got Don/anybody, toss 'em in. Maybe we can develope something to pow wow about at the convention and come up with some solutions.

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 28 Jan 2005 2:42 pm

Ron,

You, Denny and the listeners on Oahu have more clout on this issue than the HSGA.

Radio is all about ratings. Higher ratings mean they can charge more for advertising. If you let this radio station know that you and a large group of LOCAL people are listening to the vintage Hawaiian music show, and that you support the local businesses who advertise on the show... that's clout.

Me writing them from Ann Arbor, Michigan 5000 miles away is not going to accomplish what you can. Yes, the HSGA can contact them with words of encouragement and suggestions, but local money/advertising dollars is what it's all about.

------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 28 January 2005 at 03:21 PM.]

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 28 Jan 2005 5:10 pm

Absolutely.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 28 Jan 2005 10:04 pm

What Gerald says makes a lot of sense. But hey Ron, ya didn't answer my question...is KCCN still on the air or is it history ?

Personally, I thought Brickwood and Harry B Sorio did a lot to preserve and promote Hawaiian music, (at least the last time I heard them prior to the all-talk format). And, like you say, if KCCN is indeed toast, what happened to their fabulous library...did it end up in a flea market ?

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 28 Jan 2005 11:46 pm

Gerald is right it takes listeners to develop the clout with radio stations, and the higher numbers of listeners develop the ratings.

However, how does one get the listeners in the first place, get them committed to listening, and afterwards get them motivated to write in or call the station, and then as Gerald says, get them support the advertisers. That is a tall order but it has to start someplace.

This is not fully developed in my mind but let me share a few thoughts.

At some time in the near future there should be a newspaper article in the Honolulu Advertiser and/or Honolulu Star-Bulletin on this newsworthy event. Here I believe HSGA could help. There are some good representatives in HSGA who live in Hawaii who can lend support to Sam Kapu and radio station KKNE by contacting the entertainment section writers for the two local newspapers.

The reason HSGA should do this is because the stated Mission of HSGA is the promotion and perpetuation of traditional Hawaiian music which includes the unique "signature sound" of Hawaiian steel guitar.

I believe there are some good potential spokesmen for such an activity such as Alan Akaka, Scott Furushima, Kamaka Tom, probably Jeff Ah Hoy and others.

Perhaps HSGA could communicate via letters with the various civic and cultural organizations on Oahu, later other Islands, as to HSGA’s purpose for being and supporting this endeavor of Sam Kapu and KKNE. Hawaiian music is a related part to the culture of the Islands and the perpetuation thereof.

I do realize that HSGA is a volunteer organization but I believe that the volunteers can be mobilized for this important purpose. They just have to be asked. We all can contribute.

Organizations carry more clout than an individual, because organizations represent groups of people. There are many Hawaiian cultural organizations that can be encouraged to help. The various cultural organizations may be able to get the many individuals to respond. HSGA can help these organizations to understand Hawaiian music is a part of the perpetuation of culture, which should not be lost.

I could go on but these are a few thoughts.

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 29 Jan 2005 1:05 am

Yes Gerald; Appreciative listeners should call in their appreciation. But I think you might underestimate the HSGA clout potential here in Hawaii. MOST people anywhere still equate Hawaii with the Steel Guitar sound; An icon and immediatly pleasing identity and atmospheric treasure more businesses and govt should be made aware of. Who else can carry that banner with authority than the HSGA? The public that equates the Hawaiian Steel with Hawaii just don't have the knowledge we have about why Hawaiian Steel and old Hawaiian Music has all but disappeared from the airwaves and public attention; And ALLOT of people nowadays don't even know that sound is coming from "that table" in old Hawaiian bands ...if they've even seen a picture of an old Hawaiian band! And I understand the HSGA's "charter" is to counteract that decline (if I understand "to promote" correctly). And I think a letter to KKNE on HSGA letterhead would indeed have more clout than any one of us writing one. I think Fo'Bro's mentioning the HSGA so regularly here is because the HSGA has indeed done some very commendable things to look towards in subject matter such as this discussion thread.

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Yes Don; You saved me from typing similar thoughts. The HSGA might also alert their Oahu membership for call-in Thank You's to KKNE. HSGA letters to the 2 local newspaper editors would probably get published. I'm SWAG'ing that the Hawaiian Studies Dept at UH would write a HCH grant proposal for the HSGA (if they'd ask), to run a 1/16-page ad in the 2 newspapers for a year, promoting Hawaiian Steel Guitar played on KKNE; If KKNE would commit the programming or at least a slot to that period of time.

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I'm a bit fatigues and mung right now; But appreciate this message thread and will jump back in here with some ideas ASAP.

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Thank You Ron, for the KKNE heads up, and the kind words. I hope this message thread will inspire some Thank Yous and KUDO call-ins to KKNE, and will afford some additional ideas on helping promote their Old Hawaiian programming.

---

Yea, the old Sugar Bar days were pretty happening. I was a member of The Highwaymen MC who in 1983 helped Mom and Pop Chun clean up the rowdy drunkard and "gender-confused" crowd the bar was then know for, ...prerequisite to Mom and Pop selling the club to Peter. That was a "colorful year" with some rather hilarious events! Peter (and a hoarde of good Musicians and People) did a great job of bringing the bar to it's hay-days ...for about 15 years. Great place for Musicians to let it all hang out to an appreciative crowd; ALLOT of really good pickin' went on in that atmosphere. I'll bet when we get to meet face to face, I'll immediately recognize you; I'm terrible at remembering faces' names. When Peter sold the bar, it went downhill fast. It's been boarded up and rotting for about a year.

Now that the Sugar Mill has closed down and stopped pumping poisons into the rivers; The fauna in Waialua Bay is recovering as are the rivers up past long-bridge. Ulua are starting to cruise the bay reefs and begging to be murdered. The old cock fighting arena is back, moved a little deeper into the junkyard right by long-bridge. If I can just get the remodeling work finished and cleaned up around here we will resume regular jam session family days here on the beach. I will sure let you know when that happens and hope you will join us.

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Aloha,
DT~
[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 29 January 2005 at 02:34 AM.]

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 30 Jan 2005 2:45 pm

Hey guys:

I would like to see this kick into an Island wide movement. And then I would like to see a worldwide movement come of it. I have been accused of lacking vision. Ha ha.

I want to double emphasize my point that a kick-off newspaper article is an important first part because it gets more attention up front. Its limitation is that it is a one shot deal.

Ron your idea about writing to the editorial page of the newspapers is excellent, because that is something that can be ongoing throughout the year. Its impact however depends on how many people read the editorial section.

HSGA can send a well-drafted letter to the civic and cultural organizations of Hawaii nei asking for their kokua which advertises HSGA and educates others to its mission. Good publicity.

I have just talked with Kamaka Tom. He is supportive of our ideas. He is only one person however, and because he is a volunteer and workingman, he cannot do all the legwork. It would be too time-consuming and exhausting. The HSGA board can solicit a host of volunteers from HSGA to help so that the job can be accomplished. I believe there are enough of us HSGA members who are willing to help.

Kamaka Tom would like to see us write to him with our ideas and proposals so that he can to present them to the board.

All correspondence can be addressed to:

Kamaka Tom
President, HSGA
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Assn.
2434 Waioma’o Road
Honolulu, Hawaii, 96816-3424
Phone: (808) 735-8065
E-mail: HSGA@lava.net or tomg007@hawaii.rr.com

Also Gerald Ross is a member of HSGA board. Let’s hear from him about our proposals.

Denny and Ron, would it be a good idea to talk with Sam Kapu and get his suggestions? He certainly should know that this is generating some stir and talk.

Looking forward to better days with some good kine Hawaiian music.

Aloha no,
Don

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 30 Jan 2005 6:49 pm

Keoki, KCCN may have been one of the stations that got morphed recently and could be history.

My hope regarding the HSGA's help is they would at least be able to provide links to others that can do as much or more to keep the momentum that is being generated. Hopefully the old rolladex can hook us up with a following of $ and assistance. Maybe somebody even has connect's with the new City administration.

A steel guitar alliance with Sam and the new radio station could be the ultimate sollution to the exposure dilema. They already play a ton of steel in their music playlists, so it's a glove fit. The demise of KCCN left a huge audience hanging. Not that it will ever be a ratings topper, but consistantly solid is GOOD. And now is the time to strike as the iron, or rather 'the coconut wireless' is hot with lots of word of mouth raves of it's return. Everybody is happy that real Hawaiian music is back on the air, and in such a laid back/sensible format. Perfect material for the 2 local daily's Berger/Woods 'scene' crowd to write up about. John Berger is aware of the bergioning steel situation, and a fan of Jeff Au Hoy and other local steelers.

I've alway's thot that the State could/should be tapped regularly for funding as the steel is the State Instrument and it otta pony up for worthwhile promotions.

But as I listen to beautiful/ancient version of 'Only Ashes Remain' with standout steel prominent, I can't help but think this station alone is helping to turn the tide in the steels favor.

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 31 Jan 2005 5:31 am

KKNE is not listed with telephone Directroy Assistance ! If anyone has contacts for them I'd appreciate you posting them here. And an email address would be a treasure since email network campaigns / trees can be organized rather easy.

Every time I've turned KKNE on since Ron alerted us, ...there has been nothing but great old-style Hawaiian music ...most with Steel, ...such an indescribable "island magic" that has not been very prolific in local music here the last 40 years or so; Such great Musicians obviously having allot of fun. (Not demeaning Music nor Musicians of a different era celebrating what's important and pleasing to them). But then again, Music certainly isn't the only older grand "magic" that bean-counting and changing culture have allowed and/or caused to slip away to history here; So maybe the old Music came from an environment of soul that just isn't that prolific or important to enough people anymore. Se la vi ...the beat goes on (sorta).......

Aloha,
DT~
[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 31 January 2005 at 05:34 AM.]

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 31 Jan 2005 9:10 am

Send me KNNE's contact info, street address, phone # etc. I will draft a letter, get it ok'ed by the HSGA board (quickly) and mail it off to them. Let me know the exact name of the show, it's host's name, hours of the show etc. so I can write a convincing letter.

Also, the listeners on Oahu should write letters ON PAPER and SNAIL MAIL it to KNNE. Yes, emails are great and so are phone calls, do those too. But we are dealing with the business world here. Paper still is king. Paper is something tangible that the show's host can show to upper management. Phone calls disappear once you hang up. Email gets deleted. Paper gets saved.

It only takes a few minutes to write a short letter.

Hand address the envelope, do not type it or have a computer generate it. This get's more attention these days.

------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 31 January 2005 at 09:12 AM.][This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 31 January 2005 at 09:13 AM.]

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 31 Jan 2005 10:22 am

And remember when things were better because they were store-bought?

Well, I don't.

It is sad that people have to be told to hand-write their letters nowadays though.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 31 Jan 2005 5:26 pm

Gerald, the show runs 24/7 w/Sam Kapu manning the mike at all times. How they manage this and where they are located is info I don't have yet. No #s are ever given for offices or requests, they just jam the music non stop.

The no frills format they are using is perfect, but it might be easier just catching Sam at his home in Kapahulu on a Sun. morning than reaching him at the office. K Tom probably knows where that is.

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 1 Feb 2005 6:56 am

Thank You, Gerald. Good ideas.

I'll continue to try to find some contacts info and post them here if someone else doesn't do it first.

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Still no Directory Assistance info for KKNE today (nor for Gerald's KNNE I also checked just to make sure).

I've not been able to listen long enough at one stint to tell if it's a canned program and possibly canned loop(s); Maybe someone else has been able to determine if it's canned or a loop(s) or not?

No phone listing, no internet info, ....and I haven't heard any "DJ" dialogue yet either (but am quite busy around here and could have easily missed dialogue). Makes me wonder what the intent of the present continuous program is. Secure a license / freq? Studios still under construction? Trying to market a license / freq? Lots of unanswered questions. My gut feeling is that it's running studio canned programs with a "skeleton" engineer staff to save costs while they build a Commercials income flow to expand with. I hope it's here to last.

There's Lazy-Boy and Sleepland commercials running as I type ... and Public Service announcements ...PLUS a station identifier with moniker "All Traditional Hawaiin All The Time". Sounds promising. Sounds like they ARE firing up a serious permanant station initiative. COOL.

Aloha,
DT~
[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 01 February 2005 at 06:58 AM.]

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 1 Feb 2005 7:43 am

This is SO encouraging to hear. I hope this burgeoning Hawaiian steel guitar scene (on the islands, that is) that I keep hearing about is for real. Maybe this is an indicator of that?

It sounds like a really cool station.

TJW

------------------
Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, A6, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open D or G)

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 1 Feb 2005 7:53 am

I found this on the web, can't vouch for its accuracy:

Hawaiian 105 - KINE-FM, Pioneer Plaza, 900 Fort Street Mall, Suite 700, Honolulu, HI 96813"
- Phone

808)536-2728***

Found it here, under Harry Soria's name:
http://hawaiian105.com/features/pvsp.html

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 1 Feb 2005 7:57 am

Oh, and you can listen live on the internet. There's a link on this site:
http://hawaiian105.com/

I'm listening now. Lots of ads.

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 1 Feb 2005 8:00 am

Oops - I think I'm on the wrong track. This is KINE FM, not AM.

Apologies for the confusion!

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 1 Feb 2005 6:15 pm

WHEWwww.......

Here's the results of several hours detective work which found contacts for KKNE AM940. I am listing the full gambit further below just in case there is some particulars of interest in that data:

(Long story short):

Cox Radio Hawaii
(Including KKNE AM940, and KCCN, KINE)
900 Fort Street
#700
Honolulu, Hi. 96813
Switchboard handles all Cox Radio Stations in Honolulu.
808-275-1000

PROGRAM DIRECTOR:
David Daniels
(Reach thru switchboard)

I spoke with the receptionist "Evan" (E-Von'), and she assured me that the "All Traditional Hawiian, All the Time" is indeed their fullest intention and committment. She didn't know if not being listed in Directory Assistance was deliberate or just not done yet (I reminded her about the year Hawaiian Airlines forgot to list their phone numbers in Directory Assistance and Yellow Pages)! I have left an answering machine message for PD David to return my call. I want to inform him of the SGF discussions and ask his suggestions how his programming might be supported. I also want to find out if they have any plans to hook up with Cox's huge internet network for online radio. Hopefully I can get an email address from him as well to post here (if he allows it).

=====================

The LONG route to find the contacts, (for the archive or just in case anyone has a particular interst / need):

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FROM THE FCC (1-888-225-5322):

KKNE is property of:
CXR Holdings LLC
3993 Howard Hughes Blvd.
#250
Las Vegas, Nev.

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Internet search results:
CXR IS AFFILIATED WITH COX MEDIA / RADIO

-------

Directory Assistance Las Vegas:

No listing for CXR Holdings.

COX COMMUNICATIONS INC.
(Internet Server)
Las Vegas, Nev.
Switchboard
702-384-8084

(referred me to Atlanta Corp. Offices).

-------

Cox Communications website contacts:

(sent inquiry emails to all):

COX COMMUNICATIONS
Las Vegas, Nevada:
CONTACTS:

Steve Schorr
Vice President, Public & Government Affairs
(702) 384-8084 Ext. 1149
steve.schorr@cox.com

Stephanie Stallworth
Director, Public Affairs
(702) 384-8084 Ext. 8400
stephanie.stallworth@cox.com

Tony Timmons
Senior Communications Liaison
(702) 384-8084 Ext. 8382
tony.timmons@cox.com

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COX COMMUNICATIONS / PROGRAMMING HEADQUARTERS
Atlanta, Ga.
404-843-5000

(referred me to Cox Radio, Honolulu).

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We win

Aloha,
DT~
[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 02 February 2005 at 12:19 AM.]