KINE's morning duo narrow gap with KSSK

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Frank B. Shaner and Brickwood Galuteria, the morning-drive duo on KINE-FM, made an impressive leap to second place in Hawai'i's radio listenership, but still could not overtake KSSK's formidable pair, Michael W. Perry and Larry Price.

Shaner and Galuteria were the only team, besides Perry and Price, to log double-digit ratings in the summer Arbitron radio ratings, just out. At one point, Shaner and Galuteria had dipped to fourth place.

Not surprisingly, the morning leaders helped fuel the outcome in the sun-up to sun-down rankings, with KSSK-FM still on top of the heap, followed by KINE.

With radio buyouts finally leveling off after four or five years of activity, two radio conglomerates now dominate the charts, and presumably wield advertising clout. Clear Channel and Cox Radio each have five of their seven stations among the Top 10.

KCCN-FM, a sister station to KINE, improved its showing, with Billy Van Osdol, Charly Espina, Pipi placing No. 3 and the station third overall. KCCN plays "island music" — including Hawaiian and some reggae and Jawaiian hybrid.

Lanai and Augie, the comedy duo who were darlings of the ratings book last year, are struggling to remain in the fray but dropping to sixth place. Their station, KDDN, is No. 5 overall and is part of the Clear Channel family.