Survey reports KSSK dominates morning drive

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Michael W. Perry and Larry Price earned double-digit ratings numbers for their KSSK-FM morning show, good enough, even though they dipped slightly in the morning drivetime slot, to earn the No. 1 perch in the Arbitron radio survey released yesterday.

The morning team's strong showing helped KSSK-FM earn the top spot in sunup to sundown rankings.

The survey, which measures listenership in Honolulu, had the usual see-saw ups and downs since the summertime tally.

Up: KINE-FM, KCCN-FM, KUMU-FM, KSSK-AM.

Down: KRTR-FM, KDDB-FM, KDNN-FM, KIKI-FM, KQMQ-FM, KXME-FM.

One possible reason: the stations airing Island rhythm, Jawaiian, pop and rock — all targeting younger folk — "lost" listeners when schools reopened.

In the coveted morning drivetime slot, which generally sets the tone for a station for the rest of the day, KSSK-AM/FM continue to be the only station posting a share of more 20; in comparison, the No. 2 position, held by KCCN-FM (Billy V, Lina Girl and Pipi), had a 6.6 share.

AM radio, virtually dead in most radio markets, continues to find its way to the Top 10 during the morning in Hawai'i. Besides KSSK, KKEA-AM (a news, sports and talk show hosted by Bobby Curran) made the No.10 spot in morning drive, displacing KHVH-AM (Rick Hamada).

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.

Hawaiian music goes online

Hawaiian music lovers have a new listening option on the Internet, streamed from Honolulu.

The Breeze of Hawai'i, a new online radio station, has begun a Hawaiian music webcast at www.breezeofhawaii.com.

The station is led by Mahlon Moore, former program director of KHUI 99.5, which had programmed Hawaiian music until last September.

The Internet-only station programs a mix of contemporary and traditional Hawaiian music, including such popular artists as The Brothers Cazimero, Keali'i Reichel, Na Leo Pilimehana, Keola Beamer, The Makaha Sons, Olomana and Teresa Bright.

Veteran radio personality The Honolulu Skylark is the station's "voice," but the webcasts won't be hosted by traditional live announcers.

The Breeze was launched, said Mahlon, after research indicated that it could draw a following from the 24 million listeners who regularly tune in to online radio.