This week, The Garden Island features one of Kaua‘i’s most well-known voices/actors, Ron Wood, who first joined FM97 at its beginning in 1988 and who has played some of the island’s most memorable theater roles. 1. First, tell our readers
This week, The Garden Island features one of Kaua‘i’s most well-known voices/actors, Ron Wood, who first joined FM97 at its beginning in 1988 and who has played some of the island’s most memorable theater roles.
1. First, tell our readers a little about yourself. Where do you hail from? How long have you been on Kaua‘i?
Ron Wood: I’m a local boy from Wailuku, Maui. For me, life began at Schofield Barracks on O‘ahu in the early 1950s. My dad was in the Army and we did some extensive traveling. I ended up graduating in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1964. I’m fortunate to be of multiple ethnicities — Hawaiian/Chinese/Filipino/Portuguese/Spanish/English and East Indian. I’m blessed that the island of Kaua‘i chose me to live here. I first came to live on Kaua‘i from 1988 to 1991, and came back in 1995 to the present. So, 21 years so far.
2. How long have you been working in radio? What about at FM97?
RW: Off and on, I’ve been in radio for 17 years and television for 24 years. I worked the top stations in San Francisco, Denver, Honolulu, Kona and here on Kaua‘i. I was the program director and did the morning show for FM97 when they first went on the air in 1988. Now, after 16 years away from radio, I’m back doing the midday show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and everything I do is just for laughs — and don’t you forget it.
3. What do you love about being a DJ? Any downsides?
RW: Being a radio DJ is “live” entertainment. You’re on the edge. It’s planned, yet spontaneous, because everyday is a new day. You can make people “smile”, or “not.” Sometimes it’s smooth and sometimes it’s bumpy. You have to think outside the box, and I don’t like walls. I’ve got some fun things in the works, but we’ll see if they transpire. Can you believe they pay me to have “fun?” As for downsides — they pay me weekly, very weekly.
4. What are some of your most memorable moments on the air?
RW: First, meeting Wolfman Jack when I worked at Q-FM in Honolulu in the mid-70s. He taught me how to connect with the listening audience. Second, interviewing Marvin Gaye when I did mornings for KKUA in Honolulu in 1980. And third, getting back on the air here at FM97.
5. Tell our readers something they probably don’t know about being a radio DJ that you think they should?
RW: It’s hard work. You have to be flexible, think on your feet and be able to handle critique.
6. What does it take to have that radio voice of yours? Is it a gift or does it take practice?
RW: Over 40 years of working at it. It’s a gift we all have — a voice — but it’s a lot of learning and practice that gets it to a professional level. There are a lot of great voices out there. It’s knowing how to use it effectively that moves you forward.
7. In addition to being a favorite voice on Kaua‘i radio, you are also a well-known actor. How did you get started in acting?
RW: I took two years of drama in high school as electives and didn’t really get started until I moved back to Hawai‘i. I’ve done speaking roles for the old “Magnum, P.I.” and was even on a Hawai‘i episode of “The Young and The Restless.” I’ve done numerous local TV and voice commercials on O‘ahu. I got into theater when I moved to Kaua‘i and did “Beauty and the Beast” for the Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre in 1989. It’s been in my blood ever since. I’ve performed for Manoa Valley Theatre on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Community Theatre in Kona.
8. What are some of your favorite roles as an actor? What can we expect next in your acting career?
RW: They’re all memorable and fun to do. Those that stand out are being the king in “The King and I,” Harold Hill in “The Music Man,” Captain Hook in “Peter Pan” and, most recently, Jacob Marley in “Scrooge: The Musical.” I really enjoy doing character roles. If there’s a challenging part then I’ll audition for it. To me there are no small parts, just small actors.
9. When not on the air or in costume, how do you spend your time?
RW: Hanging with good friends. And trying to figure out what I’m going to do when I grow up.
10. One last toughie. Which do you enjoy most — being on the air or playing a role like Captain Hook? Why?
RW: Both are one in the same. I play a DJ (a character) on life’s stage and I play characters on the theater stage. But if I have to pick one, it would be a role like Captain Hook because you get an immediate response. The applause of the audience is addicting.
