Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 2, 1 February 2014 — Radio personality and Hawaiian advocate Kimo Akane died [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Radio personality and Hawaiian advocate Kimo Akane died

By Francine Kananionapua Murray Kimo Akane, a radio executive credited with promoting loeal musicians and fighting for the perpetuation of Hawaiian music died Dec. 30, 2013. Akane was Operations Manager and Program Director at Hawaiian 105 KINE & AM940 Hawai'i. Best known for "Kimo's Vegas," whieh started in 2004 as a radio show, and heeame a eolumn in Miāweek, Akane gave locals updates

on people from Hawai'i living in Vegas as well as the latest happenings on the 9th island. Born Ashton Kimo Kaiuwailani of Punalu'u, he graduated from Kahuku High School and at 18 went to the Don Martin School of Broadcasting in Hollywood. Kimo's first job in radio was in Las Vegas. About a year later he retumed to Hawai'i as a radio personality with the new on-air name "Kimo Akane" on K108. Brilliant, quick and kind, it seemed he could jump into

any rote at tne station often filling in during emergencies. In his long radio career Akane held many positions including program director, on-air personality, music director, operations manager and vice president, at different stations like, KGU, KKUA, FM 99-5, KQMQ, KCCN FM100, AM940 and Hawaiianl05 KINE while helping to shape Hawai'i's radio industry as we know it today. Akane promoted loeal musicians, Hawaiian music and lobbying for the perpetuation of Hawaiian music stations. At the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, we learned of Akane's passion to serve the Native Hawaiian community in 2006, when OHA founded its daily Hawaiian talk radio show, Nā'Ōiwi 'Ōlino. Akane helped to produce the show, whieh grew to be number one in its time slot on Hawaiian 105 KINE, Sunday's 8 to 9 a.m. Many of us last enjoyed Kimo's company on December 10, 2013 as he broadcast the State of OHA on the radio live from Central Union Church. OHA's advocate, supporter and friend will be missed. ■

« x Photo: Courtesy: HaMie IMe//Midweek