KINE-FM (105.1 MHz "Hawaiian 105 KINE") is a commercial radio station licensed to Honolulu, Hawaii. It is owned by SummitMedia and it broadcasts a Hawaiian adult contemporary radio format. The station's studios and offices are on Fort Street near Nimitz Highway in Downtown Honolulu. KINE-FM has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts horizontal polarization and 81,000 watts vertical. The transmitter is off Palehua Road on Palikea Ridge in Akupu. KINE-FM is also heard on Oceanic Spectrum digital channel 855 for the entire state of Hawaii.

History

Early years

KINE-FM signed on the air in November 1988. It was owned by RLS Radio with studios on Bishop Street. It started with a classic hits format, which changed to classic rock by the early 1990s. It switched to a Traditional Hawaiian Adult Contemporary format in February 1992, to compete against Hawaiian Top 40 100.3 KCCN-FM. KINE-FM was later purchased by then KCCN-FM owner B.J. Glascock and the two became sister stations in 1993. KCCN-FM aims at younger Hawaiian listeners while KINE-FM aims a bit older. KINE target 25-54 listeners of Hawaiian descent, done in an adult-appeal presentation. It plays Hawaiian songs from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. This direction distinguishes KINE-FM from co-owned KCCN-FM, which plays more youthful Top 40/CHR-style Hawaiian music. For many years, KINE-FM was co-owned with KKNE 940 AM, which aimed at 35-64 listeners and played older Traditional Hawaiian hits. KKNE went silent in December 2022.

Changes in ownership

In 2000, KINE-FM was acquired by Cox Media, Inc. Cox is based in Atlanta and owns radio and television stations, cable systems and newspapers. On July 20, 2012, Cox Radio announced the sale of KINE-FM and 22 other stations. They were being sold to Summit Media LLC for $66.25 million. The sale was consummated on May 3, 2013.