"Island Weather Now," a 24-hour weather channel on Oceanic/Time Warner digital cable Channel 126, will be launched by KITV-4 on May 1, enabling viewers to access accurate weather forecasts 24/7.

For the past three years, independent research firm WeatherRate said that KITV's weather team of Justin Fujioka and Ben Gutierrez have been delivering the most accurate forecasts on air and online at www.TheHawaiiChannel.com.

"'Island Weather Now' is an example of KITV-4 Island Television's commitment to use our new digital spectrum to provide Hawai'i residents with the most accurate weather forecast anytime, on demand," said Mike Rosenberg, station general manager, in a statement.

Forecast options will be possible, too, with temperature readings, island-by-island conditions, five-day forecasts and local conditions, from 12 Hawai'i locations as well as for the "ninth island," Las Vegas.

The service also will be available over the air to those with digital receivers on channel 42 and will be available, effective June 9 to Dish Network and DirecTV customers.