KSSK-FM

KSSK-FM (92.3 MHz) is an adult contemporary formatted commercial FM radio station serving the Honolulu media market. It is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. and licensed to Waipahu, Hawaii. Studios are located in the Kalihi neighborhood of Honolulu, and the transmitter site is near Akupu, Hawaii.

KSSK-FM
CityWaipahu, Hawaii
Broadcast areaHonolulu, Hawaii
Frequency92.3 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding"AM 590 & 92-3 KSSK"
SloganHawaii's Best Variety
Programming
FormatAdult contemporary
Ownership
OwneriHeartMedia, Inc.
(Capstar TX LLC)
Sister stationsKUBT, KUCD, KDNN, KHVH, KIKI, KSSK
History
First air dateDecember 30, 1976
Former call signsKULA (1976–1987)
KXPW (1987–1989)
Call sign meaningPhonetically similar to "kiss"[1]
Technical information
ClassC
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT594 meters (1949 feet)
Transmitter coordinates21°23′49″N 158°5′58″W
Links
WebcastListen Live
HD2: Listen Live
WebsiteKSSK FM92.3 and AM590

KSSK-FM's programming is simulcast with KSSK (AM) in Honolulu, Hawaii. As is the case with many other iHeartMedia adult contemporary stations, KSSK-AM-FM play all Christmas music beginning each year in mid-November, and return to their regular format on December 26.

History

KSSK-FM was originally licensed with the call letters KULA on 92.9 MHz, and made its debut broadcast on December 30, 1976.[5] At the time it was the sister station to AM 940 KAHU (now KKNE). KULA began as an automated station playing Top 40 music provided by TM Programming. Its daily operations were run by one of its only two employees: Kawika Maszak, who programmed the automation computer to play commercial breaks.

In 1979, Heftel Broadcasting purchased KULA, pairing it with 590 KKSK, which Heftel had owned since 1965.[6] The company was owned by Cecil Heftel, a Hawaii businessman and one-time congressman. Heftel moved the station's studios to Honolulu and ended the automation, hiring a staff of DJs. The format later switched to soft adult contemporary using the slogan "Light Rock, Less Talk." In the late 1980s, KULA moved back to Top 40, becoming KXPW "Power 92," under long time Top 40 programmer, Jay Stone (now deceased). Power 92 later switched its moniker to "92X," with initially Dean Stevens, and later, Brad Barrett as program director.

In 1993, New-Tex Communications bought both 590 KSSK and KXPW for $7.5 million, and changed KXPW's call letters to KSSK-FM.[5] At the time, the AM station was the market's #1 rated, and the new owners wanted to capitalize on that success, especially as music listening was shifting to FM. The station moved back to an adult contemporary sound, and began simulcasting part of the day with KSSK, including the top-rated "Perry & Price" morning show. Eventually the simulcast was expanded to a 24-hour operation.

In 2000, Clear Channel Communications acquired KSSK-AM-FM. In 2014, the company was renamed iHeartMedia, Inc.

Notable former on-air staff
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Some notables who have passed through KGMB/KSSK include:

  • Earl McDaniel (General Manager credited with putting the station on top)
  • Hal Aku Lewis (deceased)
  • George "Granny Goose" Groves
  • Don Lamons
  • Dave Lancaster
  • Susan Cruz (who was actually Noland Cruz though while on air as Susan Cruz, he was never a female impersonator. The only link to being female was his name that was given to him by the General Manager)
  • Ruth Ann "Hana Ogi" Ogata
  • Shawn Sweeny
  • Cliff Richards (deceased)[7]
  • Myk Prosatiowell
  • Mike Murray
  • Harvey Weinstein (deceased)[8]
  • Kimo Kahoano
  • Jim Peters
  • Jim Collins
  • Shawnee (Smith)
  • Noel Grey
  • Terry Rosati (News)
  • Terry Rosati
  • Alan Zukercorn
  • Dean Stevens (Program Director)
  • Wild Bill Logan
  • Steve Carpenter
  • Michael Shishido
  • Maxwell the night guy (kris sereno)
  • Erika Engle (news)
  • Dave Curtis (news)
  • Maureen Borromeo (Pescaia)-(news)
  • Brad Barrett, Director of Programming
  • Dick Wainwright
  • Denny McPhee
  • Jim Erickson
  • Lisa D
  • Steve Kelly
  • Jim Parker
  • Skip Baszler
  • Jessica Bailey (Evening and Weekend news anchor in the early 90s)

References
  1. "Kiss Radio" (station advertisement), Honolulu Advertiser, February 14, 1980, page A-11.
  2. Digital Cable Program Guide / Lineups Archived 2011-02-25 at the Wayback Machine - Oceanic Time Warner Cable (accessed March 20, 2011)
  3. "lyngsat.com's dish hd listing (accessed May 31, 2011)". Archived from the original on April 25, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  4. "lyngsat.com's sound planet listing (accessed May 31, 2011)". Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  5. "Stations in the U.S.: Hawaii: Waipahu", Broadcasting Yearbook (1995 edition), page B-113.
  6. "Hawaii Radio: Waipahu", Broadcasting Yearbook (1986 edition), page B-79.
  7. "Hawaii Radio & Television Guide Archive". Archived from the original on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  8. "Honolulu FM radio pioneer dies", March 2, 2009 (starbulletin.com)
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