Native FM Broadens Music Lineup with Format Change

Pacific Media Group’s Native FM (95.9 KPVS-FM Hilo, 93.9 KLUA-FM Kailua-Kona) is changing up its music lineup, combining the best of mainstream pop music with local reggae island-music, following a Contemporary Hit Radio format.

The new Native FM – “The BEAT of the Islands” will bring in popular Hip-Hop, R&B, and mainstream Pop with popular names like Bruno Mars, Drake, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, and Arianna Grande gracing the airwaves, while also holding true to island favorites and top hits in Reggae and Island Reggae Music from popular names like JBoog, Common Kings, The Green, and Sammy J.

“The excitement of this new change in format will allow mainstream Hip-Hop to be heard with an island feel,” said Native FM Program Director Jaz Yglesias, a veteran on-air personality with over 20 years of radio experience.

Tying it all together is Native FM’s on-air talent, including the Big-O-Show With Eddie-O from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., Ms. Holly K in the mid-days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jaz “Uncle Jazzy” Yglesias in the afternoons from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Harley Trip closing out the weekdays from 7 p.m. to 12 p.m.

Weekend DJs Maelan Abran and Shaka Kev will also continue through in the new format.

Pacific Media Group owns and operates 14 radio stations in Hawai’i.

On the Big Island, station offerings include NATIVE FM (95.9 KPVS Hilo, 93.9 KLUA Kailua-Kona), KAPA Hawaiian FM (100.3 KAPA Hilo/Ka’u, 99.1 KAGB Waimea/Kona), KBIG FM (97.9 KKBG FM Hilo, 106.1 KLEO Kahalu’u-Kona), and ESPN Radio (AM 850 KHLO Hilo, AM 790 KKON Kealakekua).

PMG is also the parent company of BigIslandNow.com.

On Maui, PMG includes KPOA 93.5 FM, DaJam 98.3 FM, ESPN Maui AM 900, Native 92.5 FM, 99.9 KISS FM Maui, and Bloomberg Radio AM 550. Additionally, MauiNow.com serves the Maui community with news and information, and digital offerings include Aloha Stoked and the Maui Activity and Maui Dining apps.