KQMQ-FM
Encyclopedia
KQMQ-FM is a radio station based in Honolulu, Hawaii
. The Ohana Broadcast Company, LLC outlet broadcasts at 93.1 MHz with an ERP of 100 kW. The station also transmits on Oceanic Time Warner Cable
digital channel 868 for the entire state of Hawaii
. It offers a proprietary blend of Hawaiian/Island Reggae and traditional Reggae music
format branded as "93.1 Da Pā'ina" (Hawaiian for large fun gathering and party). The programming is led by local radio vet Rick Thomas.
By the 1980s it inherited the Top 40 format from KKUA
and would continue it into the 1990s. In 2000 it would switch to an All-80s & 90s format, as their format would move over to sister station KDDB. It was then known as "93.1 The Q". In 2005 they would return to Mainstream Top 40 with a Modern AC lean as "93.1 The Zone." During their tenure its listenership was 3.9 percent of Hawaii's listeners.
On February 4th, 2011, KQMQ dropped their Top 40/CHR format and began stunting with all-Bob Marley
music during the weekend until February 7, 2011, when it flipped to a format that consists of Reggae and Contemporary Hawaiian music, billing it as "93.1 Da Pā'ina." The move to a Reggae-based format make this the second of its kind in the United States. This was preceded by what proved to be a decoy media release that the new format would be Traditional Hawaiian "Nā Mele 93.1," a brand that is used at parent company Ohana Broadcasting's other outlets in Hawaii. Interestingly, February 6th was also Marley's birthday, which made this flip more interesting. According to PD Rick Thomas, "Pa’ina’s mission to is to have fun and play the reggae and island jams people really want to hear." With this move, KQMQ will face competition from two other Hawaiian Contemporary outlets that also feature Reggae music in their presentation, KDNN
and KCCN
.
Some other well known radio personalities that worked other on-air shifts include: Kimo Akane, Kris Hart, Kevin "Bish" Bishop, Myk Powell, Lou Richards (actually he was on KKUA AM which became KQMQ AM), Michael W. Perry, Mark "Mars Frehley" Marolt, Jon Kealoha, Shawn Ho, Jon E. Blaze, Candace Cruise, Kurt Williams, Kathy With A "K", Timster, Bruddah Bryan, Roro, Lisa D. and Steve Kelly.
"New Divide
". This was certified by Mediabase 24/7
. KQMQ also achieved the status of playing more music than any Honolulu radio station during the workday.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
. The Ohana Broadcast Company, LLC outlet broadcasts at 93.1 MHz with an ERP of 100 kW. The station also transmits on Oceanic Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable is an American cable television company that operates in 28 states and has 31 operating divisions...
digital channel 868 for the entire state of Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. It offers a proprietary blend of Hawaiian/Island Reggae and traditional Reggae music
Music of Hawaii
The music of Hawaii includes an array of traditional and popular styles, ranging from native Hawaiian folk music to modern rock and hip hop. Hawaii's musical contributions to the music of the United States are out of proportion to the state's small size. Styles like slack-key guitar are well-known...
format branded as "93.1 Da Pā'ina" (Hawaiian for large fun gathering and party). The programming is led by local radio vet Rick Thomas.
History
The station, which signed on the air on October 1, 1967, originally was an AOR outlet in its early days after it was acquired from Cec Heftel and began broadcasting "Album cut" music around 1976. Gene Davis was Program Director, Lee Abrams was consultant. Davis did morning drive. Among the other DJs were Ron Wood, Bob Cole, Noel Grey. It was the first station in Hawaii to include local contemporary music in its regular play list, thus giving exposure to groups like Kalapana, Cecilio and Kapono, and Keola and Kapono BeamerBy the 1980s it inherited the Top 40 format from KKUA
KKUA
KKUA is a radio station licensed to Wailuku, Hawaii. The station is owned by Hawaii Public Radio, and airs for HPR's Classical music and news and talk service.-External links:*...
and would continue it into the 1990s. In 2000 it would switch to an All-80s & 90s format, as their format would move over to sister station KDDB. It was then known as "93.1 The Q". In 2005 they would return to Mainstream Top 40 with a Modern AC lean as "93.1 The Zone." During their tenure its listenership was 3.9 percent of Hawaii's listeners.
On February 4th, 2011, KQMQ dropped their Top 40/CHR format and began stunting with all-Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
music during the weekend until February 7, 2011, when it flipped to a format that consists of Reggae and Contemporary Hawaiian music, billing it as "93.1 Da Pā'ina." The move to a Reggae-based format make this the second of its kind in the United States. This was preceded by what proved to be a decoy media release that the new format would be Traditional Hawaiian "Nā Mele 93.1," a brand that is used at parent company Ohana Broadcasting's other outlets in Hawaii. Interestingly, February 6th was also Marley's birthday, which made this flip more interesting. According to PD Rick Thomas, "Pa’ina’s mission to is to have fun and play the reggae and island jams people really want to hear." With this move, KQMQ will face competition from two other Hawaiian Contemporary outlets that also feature Reggae music in their presentation, KDNN
KDNN
KDNN is a Hawaiian Contemporary hits formatted radio station based in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Clear Channel Communications outlet broadcasts with an ERP of 51 kW...
and KCCN
KCCN-FM
KCCN-FM, "FM100", is a Hawaiian Contemporary hits station. The Cox Radio Hawai'i outlet broadcasts at 100.3 MHz with ERP of 100 kW. It is headquartered in Suite 700 at 900 Fort Street Mall in the Honolulu CDP in the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States...
.
Alumni
KQMQ has boasted some of the most famous radio talents in the market. Some names that occupied the morning drive slot include: Chris Hughes, Augie Tulba (Da Augie Radio Show), Kimo Leahi, Austin Vali, Tony Taylor, Scotty B, Bridgette Sarchino, Sam The Man, Hawaiian Ryan, Leikia, Dan Cooke, Michael Qseng (deceased)& Danielle Tucker (Morning Madness), Jeff Kino and Lois Miyashiro (The Morning Zoo), Justin Cruz, Wili Moku(deceased) with Wild Kyle the traffic guy, Laurie Ann Solomon, Cliff Richards (deceased) & Erika Engle, and Kari Steele.Some other well known radio personalities that worked other on-air shifts include: Kimo Akane, Kris Hart, Kevin "Bish" Bishop, Myk Powell, Lou Richards (actually he was on KKUA AM which became KQMQ AM), Michael W. Perry, Mark "Mars Frehley" Marolt, Jon Kealoha, Shawn Ho, Jon E. Blaze, Candace Cruise, Kurt Williams, Kathy With A "K", Timster, Bruddah Bryan, Roro, Lisa D. and Steve Kelly.
Awards/achievements
During its second run as a Top 40/CHR, KQMQ FM was the first station in the U.S. and all other countries to play Linkin Park'sLinkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
"New Divide
New Divide
"New Divide" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. The song is released as a single and was recorded specifically for Michael Bay's film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The song serves as the film's theme, and was released as a single on May 18, 2009...
". This was certified by Mediabase 24/7
Mediabase
Mediabase is a music industry service that monitors radio station airplay in 180 US and Canadian markets. Mediabase publishes music charts and data based on the most played songs on terrestrial and satellite radio, and provides in-depth analytical tools for radio and record industry professionals...
. KQMQ also achieved the status of playing more music than any Honolulu radio station during the workday.