On July 20, 2013 Radio Alchemy had it’s first ever broadcast on internet radio as it recorded and later aired the sounds of the Mango Festival on that day.
Fast forward to 2018 and we’re at the 10th annual Mango Festival once again and we will be covering the entire festival on both RadioAlchemyKONA.com and KONA 100.5 LPFM. It is, after all… the 5th anniversary of that very first day.
Since that time, there have been many magical Alchemy moments. One year ago, in March 2017 we fist connected to FM radio as KONA – 100.5 LPFM. Radio Alchemy has since aired from 7 PM til 1 AM – 7 days a week.
For this FM station to happen, we first were made aware that the FCC was providing a window of opportunity for those were seriously interested in creating an FM radio station using this LPFM format. That window would close in less than 1 month from the time the inevitable question was asked: “Do we want to do radio for the Kona community?” The response and feeling was “We absolutely Have to do Radio” and in a way that has never been done before.
But the prerequisite was that we needed to have direct association with a non-profit 501(c)3 entity. All of the subsequent paperwork would rely on the standing of this entity. But the time to process the necessary Permit forms for FCC construction permit was rapidly running out.
Enter the government shutdown of 2013. A rare instance and usually an unwelcome one. But in fact, it was this period that enabled the alliance between Radio Alchemy and Sanctuary of Mana Ke’a Gardens to be established. There was little doubt that the shutdown delayed the deadline enough for completion of the forms to be filed with the FCC and the permit was approved shortly after the reopening 13 days after it had closed the doors of it’s many agencies.
This is but one of a great many tales that this station has among it’s 5 year history. Those who have helped this radio station blossom may hereafter be known as the “Oceans 11 of KONA”. They know who they are and they recognize the importance of sustaining this station for the purposes of bringing Big Island news, events and great music to our community. We in fact would prefer to expand our horizons to the “Oceans 111 of KONA’ and that more and more people from throughout our community become inspired participants and contributors. We pledge to blaze the trail to see that this happens. For the people of KONA –We are the “Voice of KONA”. Please come forward and participate in any way you can.
Mahalo nui Loa from everyone at Radio Alchemy and KONA 100.5 LPFM