Live, from Waimea

When Kelly Kay, 20, from Princeville, decided to write a speech on Dr. Seuss’ “Oh The Places You’ll Go” for her college public speaking class, she had no idea where it was taking her.

But that speech, along with those written by 10 of Kay’s classmates, will debut Thanksgiving day, between 2 and 4 p.m., on Waimea’s new radio station, 107.3 FM.

Students in Sharon Milan’s public speaking class at Kauai Community College wrote all the speeches. Milan partnered with friends Vivian Rose and Ron Olen, from Kekaha, who were part of a small group that started the radio station in June.

“They needed content for the radio station and I’m really interested in performance of literature, so I read some Psalms on the radio,” Milan said. “After that, I thought it would be great to get my students on the radio, too.”

Kay said she didn’t know she’d be reading her speech on air when she wrote it, and she wasn’t sure about performing it on the radio when she heard about the assignment.

“I was scared of hearing my own voice, but recording was so much fun,” Kay said. “If I could totally do voice acting for a living, I would, but I’ve heard it’s a really hard business.”

Milan said she provided her students with two prompts. They could either write a speech about their hero, or about an inspirational quote. For Kay, that part was a no-brainer.

“I knew as soon as I heard that part of the assignment that I’d write a speech about “Oh, The Places You’ll Go,” Kay said. “There’s a quote in there that says no matter what you do, your future will look bright and you will go places. It’s always resonated with me.”

Kay said she got the book as a graduation present from her mother, and all of her high school teachers signed it.

“It’s been my go-to when I have a bad day,” Kay said. “It’s so encouraging.”

Olen, who has been working toward the launch of 107.3 FM for the past two years, said he’s thrilled to have local students on air.

“The whole idea behind this radio station is to provide a real, community radio station on the West Side, but for the whole island, too,” Olen said. “We have local, Kauai talent on this station.”

The radio station is filling 35 hours a week of air time, minimum, but Olen said they’re already doubling that most days.

It is located in the basement of the Waimea Baptist Church, and is a low-power radio station broadcasting over the airwaves at 100 watts. Monday nights, the station hosts a two –hour show called, “Live from Waimea,” which showcases a variety of local talents from people of all ages.

“Last time we had a couple of guys come in and play for us for awhile and then we had some of the students from the schools around the island come in and talk for a while,” Olen said. “It was really cool.”

As an upstart station, 107.3 FM is in need of content to fill time, but Olen said that’s only part of why they’re so excited to have Milan’s students on air.

“This just exposes students to the world of radio,” Olen said. “Maybe they’ll come in here and do some stuff on air and decide they want to be a DJ, or a voice actor, or a music producer.”

Kay said she had so much fun recording that she wishes she could do it again. She might have that opportunity next semester, if she decides to take Milan’s Performance of Literature class, which is open to the public as well as KCC students.

“We’re going to be reading literature over the air next semester,” Milan said. “That class is an opportunity to work on your voice and performance skills while reading and performing your favorite piece of literature.”

Students also have the opportunity to perform their speeches at open mic nights, held once a semester at the college. Some of the speeches that will be on air will also be performed at the next open mic night, which is on March 14.

While 107.3 FM is stoked about having students on air, they’re looking for different types of talents to add to their local vibes, Olen said. Anyone interested in being part of the new radio station should email: krkwfm@yahoo.com