105.9 FM, Honolulu was a vision by friends, entertainment entrepreneur Edward "Chip"- Tilton and veteran Hawaii radio personality Jacqueline L. "Skylark" Rossetti, who created Kasa Moku Ka Pawa Broadcasting, a Delaware Corporatin. The FCC opened a new Class C license window for Honolulu in early 1987 and KMKP was formed to pursue the opportunity, vying with 13 other original applicants. Under the FCC policy of integration and diversification of broadcast ownership almost 11 years of documenting, negotiating, slugging and compensating...KMKP's mana and business plan for a Hawaii oriented live music and roving DJ format, prevailed as FCC Broadcast StationConstruction Permit was issued Feb 8, 199. Transmitter/antenna Equipment was conceived by engineers Clayton Caughill and son Cris, and constructed by JAMPRO and Broadcast Electronics. Initial tests conducted and documented and finally, a license to broadcast for BLH-20000706ADU awarded July 21, 2000. At the same time, KMKP sold the license, but not the business plan. The station signed on the air in 2000 as Active rock KAHA, "Lava Rock." That format changed in 2002 when it shifted to classic rock. They also picked up the KPOI calls in 2004 after that station flipped formats to news/talk radio. In 2010 the company returned to straight "classic rock". In 2012 KPOI shifted to a rock format, with a playlist focused on 1980s & 1990s alternative rock, along with some new alternative. KPOI shifted its format again in late October 2013; the station aired a 1990s alternative rock format, with some contemporary alternative rock. In 2014, the station again shifted formats to a current Alternative format, and rebranded as "Alt 105.9 - Hawaii's Real Alternative".The station is also transmitting on Charter Spectrum digital cable channel 857 for the entire state of Hawaii. They are the third station to adopt the KPOI calls, as they were first used on the AM band as a Top 40, then later used on its FM sister at 97.5, when it was billed as KPOI 98 Rock playing AOR and later alternative rock prior to its sale to Salem Communications in 2004.
Format and content shift
Around June 2010, KPOI made a shift in format, adding to their playlist more B-side tracks, 1980s rock, 1990s alternative, complete/uncut songs, and metal. The station's playlist as of October 2013 is a mixture of 1980s rock & alternative, 1990s alternative, & some contemporary alternative rock. In late October 2013, KPOI shifted their format once again; the station dropped the 1980s rock & now plays 1990s alternative & some contemporary alternative rock. KPOI rebranded as "Alt 105.9" on August 13, 2014. KPOI 105.9 plays station identification shout-outs using local business owners, musicians, and personalities.
Shift to AC
On May 1, 2020, KPOI exits a two-way Alternative battle with rival KUCD after six years and struggling ratings to become “105.9 The Wave”, joining the already established KSSK-FM and KRTR-FM. The station adopted a Soft-centric direction with Hawaiian music elements.
