You never know what you're going to hear when you tune in to KTUH. That spirit of discovery has carried the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's college radio station for 40 years, through lean times and desperate fundraising efforts.

To celebrate the anniversary of this can-do effort, a committee of DJs is hunting for old stories, photos and memories from former staff and listeners. Got a wild tale from a late night KTUH shift you pulled during your college years? Shere'e Young, UH journalism student and KTUH DJ wants to hear it.

"To help celebrate this special event, (I) and a few others have come together to participate in doing a documentary. We are collecting old archives through audio and pictures from past DJs, community members, and anyone who was involved as a listener or a fan of KTUH," Young said in an e-mail.

The station actually started 43 years ago, but in those first few years, it was only on a closed circuit for those living in on-campus dorms. It wasn't until September 1969 that it became a 10-watt FM radio station.

These days, KTUH broadcasts at 3,000 watts, but it's still a little tricky to find. It's 90.3 FM in Honolulu, 91.3 FM North Shore, 89.9 FM Windward, Ch. 866 on Oceanic Digital Cable and via the Web at www.ktuh.org.

KTUH Jazz/Blues director Anthony Phonpituck said, "The mission of KTUH has always been the same and remained this way from the beginning: to provide the people of Honolulu with alternative programming for the educational enrichment of the students of the university and the community."

The station is run by UH-Manoa students. About 60 students run 56 different shows a week, pulling three-hour shifts. There are genre directors who supervise, but it's still a pretty free format.

"The DJs pick their own music. They are allowed to bring in their own music, but can use any of the CDs or vinyl in the station," Phonpituck said. The DJs come from all disciplines and the common gene is a passion for music and the desire to share, that "Hey, check this out!" attitude.

"We have received e-mails from listeners telling us how they came to O'ahu and found our station 30 years ago and haven't stopped listening," Phonpituck said. "Other stories have come in about people meeting at KTUH events and falling in love."

There will be a big celebration in September to mark the anniversary. The documentary will be unveiled then.

People who have stories, photos, audio recordings or videos can e-mail 40years@ktuh.org or call 956-5288.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.