Shortly after Hurricane Iniki, when all communication was knocked out on Kauai, a small group of dedicated local folks, headed by Janet Planet, Roy Richardson, Fred Dente, Sally O’Donnell, and the late “Butch” and Mikala Kekahu, started meeting regularly inorder
Shortly after Hurricane Iniki, when all communication was knocked out on Kauai, a small group of dedicated local folks, headed by Janet Planet, Roy Richardson, Fred Dente, Sally O’Donnell, and the late “Butch” and Mikala Kekahu, started meeting regularly inorder to form the Kekahu Foundation, a Hawaiian non profit corporation.
After writing grants, finding volunteers and hiring staff, KKCR FM , a community radio station was born, eventually going on air in the fall of l997. Priority was given by the FCC in issuing a license because of the location of the station’s transmitter sites in case of weather emergencies. Many original “founders” and supporters are still active in the organization.
The purpose of the Kekahu Foundation is to develop and maintain a community-based group for the purpose of instruction in, and dissemination of, educational and cultural material in the public interest.
The Foundation currently has a governing board of directors comprised of 14 Kaua’i residents who oversee the operation of KKCR. There is also a Community Advisory Board composed of 12 residents whose job it is to monitor whether the radio station serves the needs of the community it is licensed to serve (Kee to Kokee), making recommendations to the board and staff of KKCR. The radio station is the only project currently under the auspices of the corporation.
KKCR is the only community radio station in Hawaii, operating at 91.9 and 90.9 on the FM band. It is also available at 95.1 on cable and Internet streaming worldwide at http://www.kkcr.org.
The two FM signals are generated from Crater Hill in Kilauea and on Mt. Kahili near Lawai. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, the station’s staff is made up of 70 volunteers.
The station’s diverse schedule includes national and local public affairs programming, live talk shows, shows on Hawaiian issues, story times and a broad musical format. In addition to extensive Hawaiian music, KKCR also offers jazz, classical, R&B, alternative, country, blue grass, new age, reggae, spiritual/inspirational, many other world beats and community calendars. The local talk shows are known for their candid discussion of current community issues.
