KTUH launches new Windward frequency

By Elizabeth Daniels

With November comes yet another triumph for KTUH, the University of Hawaii’s student-run radio station. This month, the station begins broadcasting on its new Windward frequency at 89.9 FM. The staff and management of KTUH are proud of their ability to broadcast in a new region of the island. The station’s general manager, Justin Quezon, said the new frequency has taken about a year to take effect.

“The Windward side was the last large area that we were trying to reach. Now we’ll be mostly island-wide,” he said.

There are many students and faculty who live on the Windward side of the island, and they are unable to tune into KTUH until they come into town.

“We’ll have a broader audience now,” Quezon said. “It will benefit everybody.”

KTUH FM has been providing alternative radio programming for Hawaii’s people for the past 35 years. From its studio in Hemenway Hall, the station broadcasts at 90.3 FM in Honolulu, 91.3 FM on the North Shore, 89.9 FM on the Windward side, Oceanic Digital Cable Channel 843 and online at www.ktuh.org. Its programs feature rock, hip-hop, jazz, Hawaiian and reggae music, in addition to freeform shows, which feature music from every genre. As “Hawaii’s Only Alternative,” KTUH strives to expose its listeners to previously undiscovered sounds.

In celebration of the new frequency, KTUH hosted a special party at Indigo Restaurant on Friday, Nov. 11, from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. The event featured KTUH deejays spinning hip hop, soul, funk, reggae, dancehall, Latin, lounge, house and drum and bass. The event also featured live bands and emcees. The celebration was open to everyone.

“We’re always excited for more university students to come through and participate in KTUH activities,” said Johanna Almiron, the station’s jazz and blues director.

Almiron said the station strives to reach as many listeners as possible.

“It’s great when people really love music,” she said.