Exhibit celebrates 50 years of KTUH student radio

KTUH celebrates 50 years of student radio.

Hawaiʻi’s first entirely student-operated radio station KTUH at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa marks its 50th anniversary as an FM station in July 2019. To commemorate its anniversary year and this special time in KTUH history, an exhibition of archival photos, equipment and materials is on display at the Hamilton Library’s Bridge Gallery through July 12. 

The exhibit shows the struggle to establish KTUH, formerly known as KUOH, up to its current incarnation as an award-winning college radio station. A closing reception will be held at the library on Friday, July 12, at 4:30 p.m.

“The exhibit showcases everything great about KTUH, from past to present,” said Marc Ito, KTUH events director. “Everyone is excited about turning 50 years old and proud to be a part of this college radio station's existence.” 

Milestones in its 50-year history include: 

• 1964: A small group of students founded KTUH radio station, including Fred Barbaria, the station’s first general manager. 

• 1969: KTUH is granted its first educational FM license by the Federal Communications Commission and begins broadcasting. 

• 1972: KTUH began broadcasting live 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• 1984: KTUH received approval from the UH Board of Regents to increase its broadcast power.

• 1995: KTUH’s website goes up.

• 2001: KTUH goes from 100 watts to 3,000 watts.

• 2016: KTUH increases its broadcast strength to 7,000 watts and achieves island-wide coverage.

• 2019: KTUH’s podcasts are available online and on-demand from KTUH Online. KTUH reaches a $50,000 goal during its annual “radiothon” event.
   

Under the helm of KTUH General Manager Smee Wong and Program Director Bjarne Bartlett, the radio station is excited to continue a tradition of innovation and has big plans for its anniversary year. 

A weekly campus concert series featuring local musicians and KTUH staff will be held Fridays in September at Mānoa Gardens, as well as a grand finale celebration in October. This year, the station released a new podcast, KTUH Online, to help grow its online content and continue to serve as a platform for student voices on campus.

“KTUH offers a platform for college students to connect with the community, a place that our voices could be heard loud and clear,” said Wong. “(After) 50 years of broadcasting, we keep growing, innovating and creating educational content and aim to push boundaries to make our island an even better place. We look forward to the next 50 years!”

The radio station broadcasts and serves the people of Honolulu at 90.1 FM and 91.1 FM on the North Shore of O'ahu. KTUH also broadcasts online at ktuh.org and Oceanic Digital Cable channel 866. Its diverse educational programming consists of multiple genres, including Jazz Rock, Freeform, Indie, Electronic, Hip-Hop, Hawaiian, R&B and more. It also provides training in multiple professional development areas.

Check out more photos from the KTUH 50th anniversary exhibit and read the story at: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2019/06/24/ktuh-50th-anniversary-exhibit/