KKOL-FM (107.9
MHz
The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), often described as being equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose formal expression in terms of SI base u ...
, "Decades 107.9") is a commercial
FM radio station
Radio broadcasting is the broadcasting of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based rad ...
serving the
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu ( ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, located in the Pacific Ocean. It is the county seat of the Consolidated city-county, consolidated City and County of Honol ...
media market
A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area (DMA), television market area, or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same (or similar) television station, television and radio broadcasting, ra ...
. The
Salem Media Group
Salem Media Group, Inc. (formerly Salem Communications Corporation) is an American radio broadcaster, internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher based in Irving, Texas, targeting audiences interested in Christian values and wh ...
outlet broadcasts at 107.9 MHz with an
ERP of 100 kW and is
licensed to
Aiea, Hawaii. Its
transmitter
In electronics and telecommunications, a radio transmitter or just transmitter (often abbreviated as XMTR or TX in technical documents) is an electronic device which produces radio waves with an antenna (radio), antenna with the purpose of sig ...
is on Palehua Road in
Kapolei and its studios and offices are in Honolulu.
KKOL-FM airs a locally programmed Classic Hits format, which mostly utilizes a tightly programmed playlist consisting of hits from the 1970s, 80s and 90s. A couple songs by the Hawaiian duo
Cecilio & Kapono are also in regular rotation to give the station a more local feel.
History
KGMZ signed on the air on August 27, 1992, as a
Top 40
In the music industry, the Top 40 is a list of the 40 currently most popular songs in a particular genre. It is the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music. Record charts have traditionally consisted of a total of 40 songs. "To ...
station, only to flip formats to
smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is commercially oriented crossover jazz music. Although often described as a "genre", it is a debatable and highly controversial subject in jazz music circles. As a radio format, however, smooth jazz radio became the successor to e ...
in 1994. That would give way to an oldies format, known as ''Hawaii's'' ''Oldies 107.9'' in 1997.
The station was assigned the KKOL-FM call letters by the
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States government that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, internet, wi-fi, satellite, and cable across the United States. The FCC maintains j ...
on December 26,
2008
2008 was designated as:
*International Year of Languages
*International Year of Planet Earth
*International Year of the Potato
*International Year of Sanitation
The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...
.
The station would consequently become known as Kool Gold 107.9, to go along with the syndicated program of the same name from
Dial Global
Westwood One, Inc. is an American radio network owned by Cumulus Media. The company syndicates talk, music, and sports programming.
The company takes its name from an earlier network also named Westwood One, a company founded in 1976. The c ...
that they began airing.
Westwood One
Westwood One, Inc. is an American radio network owned by Cumulus Media. The company syndicates talk, music, and sports programming.
The company takes its name from an earlier network also named Westwood One, a company founded in 1976. The co ...
eventually bought out Dial Global, and the program simply became known as 'Classic Hits.'
The station later dropped affiliation with Westwood One, and on January 1, 2021, rebranded as "Decades 107.9"
Until his death in 2016, longtime Hawaiian radio personality and concert promoter "Uncle" Tom Moffatt hosted a Saturday morning program for many years.
Salem Media Group, Inc. announced on March 17, 2025, the sale of their remaining radio stations and digital assets in Honolulu, Hawaii to Malama Media Group. Malama intends to keep all radio stations in their present formats.
References
External links
KKOL-FM website
KOL-FM
Classic hits radio stations in the United States
Radio stations established in 1992
1992 establishments in Hawaii
Salem Media Group radio stations
{{Honolulu-stub