Biz Quickies: KAHU Radio Format Goes Online

When KAHU 91.7 FM in Pahala shut down due to financial difficulties in 2013, station manager Christine Kaehuaehua vowed not to let the local music, news and community feel of the radio station’s format die.

On Thursday, Kauehuaehua launched Honu Road Radio, a new internet-only commercial radio station serving the residents of Discovery Harbor, Punaluu, Naalehu and Pahala plus the global internet audience — but without the costly antenna towers, broadcast equipment and FCC oversight that put the tiny station out of business. Honu Radio again will also be the rural community’s link to vital Hawaii County Civil Defense alerts.

“I believe it’s our responsibility to not just build in a community, use its resources and then leave if the business fails, but to learn from mistakes and make it stick the second time around to the benefit of the community, not just the business,” Kaehuaehua said. Online 24/7, go to HonuRadio.com.

‘Water Falling Estate’ Sells At Auction
The opulent 9.44-acre Hamakua Coast estate attracted 10 bidders, said New York’s Concierge Auctions, which conducted the sale to an as-yet unnamed buyer. The amount of the bid was also not released.

The property, which includes a 10,000-square-foot, five-bedroom mansion with glass elevator, multiple rooftop helipads, nine-tee golf course, olympic-size Infinity pool and 450-seat tennis stadium, was listed by Hilo Brokers for $26.5 million prior to the auction.

West Hawaii Culinary Pioneers Win Recognition
Jean Hull and Ken Love have been recognized by The American Culinary Federation’s Western Region. Hull received the President’s Medallion for culinary excellence and leadership in the advancement of the culinary profession.

A long-time champion of culinary arts on the Big Island, Hulll is associate professor of culinary arts at HawCC-West Hawaii in Kailua-Kona where she leads the ‘Equip the Kitchens’ campaign for the future Hawaii Community College (HawCC)-Palamanui campus.

Love, executive director of the statewide Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers, received the Cutting Edge Award, recognizing his long-time advocacy for locally grown food. Love teaches grocers, chefs and consumers the benefits of 11 little-used fruits and his work went global after appearing in the 2012 feature documentary film, “The Fruit Hunters.”

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