City Honolulu, Hawaii Branding ALT 105.9 First air date 2000 | Broadcast area Honolulu, Hawaii Frequency 105.9 MHz | |
Slogan Hawaii's REAL Alternative | ||
KPOI-FM (ALT 105.9) is an alternative rock station based in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. The Ohana Broadcasting outlet broadcasts at 105.9 MHz with an ERP of 100 kW. In 2010 the company returned to straight "classic rock". In 2012 KPOI shifted to a rock format, with a playlist focused on 1980s & 1990s alternative rock, along with some new alternative. KPOI shifted its format again in late October 2013; the station now airs a 1990s alternative rock format, with some contemporary alternative rock. The station is also transmitting on Oceanic Time Warner Cable digital channel 857 for the entire state of Hawaii. They are the third station to adopt the KPOI calls, as they were first used on the AM band as a Top 40, then later used on its FM sister at 97.5, when it was billed as KPOI 98 Rock playing AOR and later alternative rock prior to its sale to Salem Communications in 2004.
Contents
History
105.9 FM, Honolulu was a vision by friends, entertainment entrepreneur Edward "Chip"(Uehara)- Tilton and veteran Hawaii radio personality Jacqueline L. "Skylark" Rossetti, who created Kasa Moku Ka Pawa Broadcasting Inc, a Delaware Corp. At this time, The FCC opened a new Class C license window for Honolulu in early 1987 and KMKP was formed to pursue the opportunity, vying with 13 other original applicants.Under the then FCC policy of integration and diversification of broadcast ownership almost 11 years of documenting, negotiating, slugging and compensating...KMKP's mana and business plan for a Hawaii oriented live music and roving DJ format, prevailed as FCC Broadcast Station Construction Permit was issued Feb 8, 199. Transmitter/antenna Equipment was conceived by engineers Clayton Caughill and son Cris, and constructed by JAMPRO and Broadcast Electronics.Initial tests conducted and documented and finally, License to broadcast for BLH-20000706ADU awarded July 21, 2000. At the same time, KMKP sold the License, but not the business plan.
The station signed on the air in 2000 as Active rock KAHA, "Lava Rock." That format changed in 2002 when it shifted to classic rock. They would also pick up the KPOI calls in 2004 after that station flipped formats to news/talk radio.
Format and content shift
Around June 2010, KPOI made a shift in format, adding to their playlist more B-side tracks, 1980s rock, 1990s alternative, complete/uncut songs, and metal. The station's playlist as of October 2013 is a mixture of 1980s rock & alternative, 1990s alternative, & some contemporary alternative rock.
In late October 2013, KPOI shifted their format once again; the station dropped the 1980s rock & now plays 1990s alternative & some contemporary alternative rock. KPOI rebranded as "ALT 105.9" on August 13, 2014.
KPOI 105.9 plays station identification shout-outs using local business owners, musicians, and personalities.