LIHUE — KQNG Radio Group has been sold.
Staff working in the offices located on Halenani Street in Lihue declined comment, instead referring to an Oct. 4 release from the Pacific Media Group announcing the purchase of the group of stations by a Maui company.
“We are growing our family,” said PMG president and CEO Chuck Bergson. “We have been looking at Kauai for more than 20 years as a growth opportunity, and have had discussions over the years. It was never quite right until now.”
The Pacific Media Group, a Hawaii-based multimedia company with offices in Kahului, Maui, Hilo and Kona on the Big Island, announced the purchase of the KQNG Radio Group from Ohana Broadcast Company LLC.
The acquisition of the group — including stations KQNG 93.5 FM, KSHK “Shaka” 103.1 FM, KSRF 95.9 FM, and KUAI 570 AM, and translator 104.5 FM on Kauai — adds to the PMG portfolio of six stations on Maui, six stations on Hawaii Island, multiple digital media products, and an exclusive contract with the state to provide advertising services for Neighbor Island airports with its subsidiary Hawaii Airport Advertising.
“KQNG is the No. 1 radio group on the island, and we are pleased with that, and are excited about working together with the KQNG team,” Bergson said. “Like us, they believe in live radio. They have good, strong, passionate people who are committed to the Kauai community and love what they do.”
Bergson said his first visit to Kauai was in September 1992 when Kauai was reeling from the effects of Hurricane Iniki. His participation with other Maui community leaders to deliver a $26,000 check to then-Mayor JoAnn Yukimura brought him to the Garden Island with the proceeds from a Kokua for Kauai fundraising concert on Maui.
He said it was clear the community appreciated the service that KQNG radio provided in delivering key communication during and following the devastating hurricane.
“KQNG Radio Group dominates the market,” Bergson said. “A lot of that can be attributed to the dedicated coverage provided by radio personality Ron Wiley and the KQNG team during the storm. Listeners have a favorite radio station and a ‘relationship’ with the disc jockeys. With radio, there is an intimate personal relationship, and that is what makes radio great. It all boils down to the people. We are tied and connected to the communities we serve. It’s local.”
Terry Gillingham, regional vice president and general manager for the Hawaii operations of Ohana Broadcast Company, said it has been a privilege to work with all of the people connected with the KQNG Radio Group.
“Over the past few years, we have made significant gains, and we feel that Pacific Media Group is the right company to take it from here,” Gillingham said. “Their operating philosophy is a good match for the people and operations of the Kauai cluster.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
