KTA Super Stores will match $20,000 in donations from Hawaii Public Radio fans eager to bring to East Hawaii over-the-air service for HPR-2, the network’s local, national and international news and information, local talk, jazz and blues programming service.
KTA Super Stores will match $20,000 in donations from Hawaii Public Radio fans eager to bring to East Hawaii over-the-air service for HPR-2, the network’s local, national and international news and information, local talk, jazz and blues programming service.
The gift, made in memory of Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi, founders of KTA Super Stores and K. Taniguchi Ltd., is the first lead and matching gift committed toward a $150,000 grassroots capital campaign to pay for equipment, installation, engineering and legal fees, and first-year overhead for the new state-of-the-art transmitter, the network’s second in East Hawaii.
Because of a decadelong FCC freeze on non-commercial licenses, terrain shielding and other challenges posed by Hawaii’s unique geography, East Hawaii has been the largest geographic area in the state without access to service for HPR-1 and HPR-2. HPR acquired the broadcast license for KAHU 91.7 in late summer and restored over-the-air service to the Pahala area. Since then, the station began a multistep engineering and technical process which will result in a new state-of-the-art transmitter that will finally bring HPR-2’s services to the greater East Hawaii region.
In accepting the gift, HPR President and General Manager Michael Titterton said, “This is just wonderful. Fourteen years ago, HPR dreamed of building two high-quality networks to serve the whole state. Realization of that dream began with the construction of KANO-Hilo — which, in turn, began with a generous lead gift from Barry Taniguchi and KTA Stores. Now, as we prepare to put the finishing touches to the two-network project with the bringing of HPR-2 to East Hawaii, it’s only fitting that Hilo would be the place we’d cross the finish line. And it’s just marvelous that, once again, it’s Barry and KTA who are so generously taking the lead with a matching gift.”
Volunteers are actively seeking contributions to match the gift made by KTA Super Stores in order to keep the campaign on track for a planned spring sign-on. Donations are being accepted at hawaiipublicradio.org (click on Support, East Hawaii HPR-2 Transmitter) or by calling 808-955-8821 during business hours.
Hawaii Public Radio HPR is a private, nonprofit organization that broadcasts classical, jazz, and international music and in-depth news and informational programming from National Public Radio, American Public Media, Public Radio International and other local, national and international program sources, as well as programs produced by Hawaii Public Radio.
In October 2013, Charity Navigator, the premier charity evaluator, awarded HPR its second consecutive four-star rating for exceptional fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency
HPR’s mission is to serve the entire population of the state of Hawaii with two excellent program streams. HPR-1, the news magazine and fine arts stream, can currently be heard on Oahu and Kauai (KHPR 88.1 FM and 88.5 FM); Maui, Molokai, Lanai and West Hawaii (KKUA 90.7 FM); and East Hawaii (KANO 91.1 FM in Hilo and 94.7 FM in Waimea).
HPR-2, the news, local talk and music stream, is found on Maui, Molokai, Lanai (KIPM 89.7 FM and KIPH 88.3 FM in Hana), West Hawaii (KIPM 89.7 FM and KHPH 88.7 FM), the newest station in south Hawaii (KAHU 91.7 FM), Oahu and Kauai (KIPO 89.3 FM and KIPL 89.9 FM).
HPR is online and streaming at hawaiipublicradio.org and hpr2.org, as well as on Facebook (hawaiipublicradio) and Twitter (@hipubradio).
Free iOS apps for HPR-1 and HPR-2 are available for download from the App Store.