KPOA Celebrates 30 Years of Hawaiian Music, Maui Style

KPOA Morning Godess Alaka’i Paleka and fellow KPOA on-air personality, Shane “HHB” Kahalehau.

By Maui Now Staff

KPOA 93.5 FM celebrates its 30th anniversary with a full day of “Hawaiian Music, Maui Style,” on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens in Kahului.

The station was established in October, 1984 as the first radio station in Lahaina, and Hawaiʻi’s first Hawaiian Music FM station.

KPOA was founded by Ed Johnson, George Paoa and Chuck Gardiner, and was originally broadcast as a station under the Lahaina Broadcasting Company.

Over the years, company executives incrementally increased signal power, acquired other stations on the island, and changed the company name to Pacific Media Group.

KPOA 30 year anniversary event flyer.

In 1992, KPOA was honored with the Kahili Award, presented by the Hawaii Visitors Bureau to businesses that do the most to “Keep it Hawaiian.”

KPOA continues to broadcast Hawaiian Music under the leadership of KPOA “Morning Goddess” and program director Alakaʻi Paleka on 93.5 FM and booster frequency 92.9 FM on the west side.

In recognition of the milestone anniversary, Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa signs a proclamation today recognizing KPOA for three decades of perpetuating Hawaiian music.

He will make a formal presentation at the opening of Saturday’s celebration, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Admission is free.

The full day of festivities includes two entertainment stages featuring performances by: Alika Nakoʻoka, Ata Damasco, Clay Mortensen, Ernest Puaʻa, Homestead, Hūʻewa, Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalailiahi, Ikaika Blackburn, Pono, Kamakakehau Fernandez, Kaulike Pescaia, Kawika Lum Ho, Marvin Tevaga, Kalani Miles, Malino, Mele Pono, and more.

In addition to Hawaiian music, the day’s events also feature demonstrations and activities including: kalo (taro) pounding, cordage making, Makahiki games, and ʻohana fun with Morey Inc.

There will also be food for sale including: chili and rice, hot dogs, chow fun, pizza, pastele plates, Molokaʻi sweet bread, brownies, shave ice, and Bruddah Hutt’s BBQ Grill.

About KPOA and Pacific Media Group: 

Pacific Media group is a multi-media company with assets in radio, digital and print media.  Pacific Media Group operates six stations on Maui including KPOA 93.5 FM, DaJAM KJMD 98.3 FM, KISS-FM KJKS 99.9, KLHI Native 92.5 FM, KNUI 550 AMand Maui’s ESPN station KMVI 900 AM.  Pacific Media Group also owns the Maui Now website; the Real Estate Maui Now online publication; and the Maui Dining App.  On the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, Pacific Media Group operates eight radio stations:  KAPA 100.3 FM, KAGB 99.1 FM, KKBG 97.9 FM, KLEO 106.1 FM, KPVS 95.9 FM, KLUA 93.9 FM, KHLO 850 AM, KKON 790 AM, and the Big Island Now website.

***Note: Maui Now is a division of Pacific Media Group, the same company that owns radio outlets on Maui that include KPOA.