KTOH Radio opens on Kaua‘i KTOH (Kaua‘i Territory of Hawai‘i), Kaua‘i’s first radio station, began broadcasting Wednesday May 8, 1940, at 7 p.m. on Ahukini Road in Lihu‘e. Deane Stewart was the station’s first manager and Bob Glenn was chief
KTOH Radio opens on Kaua‘i
KTOH (Kaua‘i Territory of Hawai‘i), Kaua‘i’s first radio station, began broadcasting Wednesday May 8, 1940, at 7 p.m. on Ahukini Road in Lihu‘e. Deane Stewart was the station’s first manager and Bob Glenn was chief engineer.
A special program of Hawaiian music and short speeches highlighted the evening.
Master of ceremonies was Charles Fern, general manager of KTOH and editor of The Garden Island newspaper. Rev. Charles K. Holokahiki gave the invocation in Hawaiian.
Groups that performed included the Kekaha Parents Club, Mrs. Lydia Wright, director; Annie and Bennett Holt’s Kekaha Singers; Leinaala Glee Club, Mrs. Nora Chang and Miss Margaret Kilauano, directors; Lei Lima Club, Nick Koani and Keawe Aipolani, directors.
The Hawaiian Troubadours, Albert Nahalea, director; Waialeale’s Aloha Hawaiians, Billy Waialeale, director; Lihue Hawaiian Serenaders, Joseph Rapozo, director; Transco Hawaiians, Sam Peahu, director; Henry Sheldon Jr. and his Kapaa Chorus; Latter-day Saints Choir, Mrs. Louise Sheldon, director; Jacob Maka’s Hanalei Singers; C.C.C. Rangers, Eddie Kanoho, director.
Solo musicians David Kealoha, Billy Vidinha and Sam Aipolani also played.
Guest speakers were A. H. Case, Mrs. Dora R. Isenberg, Senator Elsie Wilcox, Sheriff William Rice, Chairman William Ellis, County Treasurer K.C. Ahana, County Auditor K.M. Ahana, County Attorney A. G. Kaulukou and Caleb Burns, manager, Lihue Plantation.
Also, Albert Horner, manager, Hawaiian Canneries; Waimea businessman Noboru Miyake; Eric Knudsen, president, Garden Island Publishing; Fred R. Frizelle, Kauai High School principal; William M. Moragne, John Sheehan and Representative Clem Gomes.
Commercial programming started the following morning, May 9. A three-hour Japanese program was featured that evening. Director of Japanese programming was Shoichi Hamura, co-director Miss Chitoko Isonaga. A Filipino show of the same length was broadcast Friday evening with Abraham A. Albayalde, director, and Miss Leonora Curammeng, announcer.
