Local broadcasters give voice to Kaʻū
Photo by Laura Stocker – DJ Kermit (aka Eric McDermott), "Molten Metal" show host, KAUH-LP FM, Ocean View, HI
By Laura Stocker
“The Planet’s Metal Rock Station!” is how DJ Kermit announces his Friday night show at 8 p.m. on 104.7, KAUH-LP radio. DJ Kermit, aka Eric McDermott, hosted his debut show on March 22, 2024, and focuses on heavy metal groups, including Black Sabbath, Arch Enemy, Dark Tranquility and Slayer. But his favorites are Metallica and Lamb of God.
Heavy metal might not seem like a popular genre in the Kaʻū area, but McDermott didn’t agree.
“A lot of the community know me as ‘Kermit’ and tell me. ‘Hey, I listen to your show,’” he said.
In case you’re thinking that Heavy Metal is the only music played on KAUH-LP, you’re wrong. DJ Bonz’s (aka Bonner Harris) Aloha Friday show precedes DJ Kermit with Hawaiian and Reggae and Sock Hop Saturday live. And DJ Stokes offers Musicvibe 360, electric, electronic and eclectic music.
“He also talks backstory about what he plays,” said Tim Reed of Ocean View and co-owner of Chacah Broadcasting Network (a non-profit, 501C-3) with his wife Kathy Reed. After retiring and moving to Hawaii Island about 15 years ago from Washington state, Reed started looking into starting a radio station. He had no experience with broadcasting but did a lot of research that has paid off.
“We broadcast from Kahuku Ranch to Manuka Park,” said Reed, a HAM operator who has worked with the Civil Defense in Washington state. “We got our FCC construction permit on Feb. 6, 2024, and finally got our 300 watts and FCC license in August 2025.”
As Reed’s plans progressed, he has moved KAUH’s antenna five times around Ocean View. It has landed, for now, on his roof, and he broadcasts from home. He also has two Starlink internet connections, one in Chacah Broadcasting’s van and the other in the studio. DJs log into the network and broadcast their shows from home. KAUH-LP has an emergency alert system and gets information from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.
“When the hurricane happened a few years ago, we broadcast about downed trees and people listened and went for help,” he said. “We broadcast what was happening when the big fire happened this year (2025), that firefighters were there and there was no need (for residents) to go.”
The station offers something for everyone. Sundays until 8 p.m. are all Christian with sermons and music from the Na’alehu United Methodist Church. Kathy Reed also hosts “Voice of Reason,” theme show. KAUH-LPs Monday theme is jazz and blues. Tuesdays feature country and classic country, plus a live show with Tim Reed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays feature heavy metal and hard rock. You can listen to pop, K-pop and R&B on Thursdays. Friday’s hosts are DJ Kermit and DJ Stokes. Saturday’s focus is on oldies and a musical variety. Reed also covered the 2024 Comic Con in Honolulu and said, “We’re basically there to make Kaʻū heard.”
“DJ Kermit gave a special tribute to Ozzy Osbourne after his death,” Reed said. “‘Mama, I’m Comin’ home’ was the very last song.”
Eric McDermott (DJ Kermit) said he saw a Facebook local community page post by Reed who was looking for volunteer DJs.
“I grew up playing guitar and drums,” said McDermott, who had no radio experience at the time. “We talked and he thought there was no audience. I said, ‘Let’s do a poll’ and people liked the idea.”
McDermott spends about four hours planning his playlist on Fridays before his show. His 2024 Halloween show was titled “Helloween Metal Monsters Unleashed” and because it was a success, planned to repeat it this year.
“It’s a good excuse to get other (music) styles — Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ and Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition,’” he said. “And I’ll dress up as Ozzy for Halloween. I got a lot of good feedback for my show after he passed away.”
McDermott, who helped Tim Reed put up his present antenna, said he’s discovered many more heavy metal bands since he started compiling his playlists.
“There’s a lot more out of Europe. I enjoy finding this music and introducing (it) to my audience,” he said. “I’m trying to find heavy metal for the holidays. I haven’t found any Thanksgiving yet; of course, I’ll keep looking. But I will play ‘You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch’ by Small Town Titans, and I played ‘America Bad Ass’ by Kid Rock on July 4th.”
McDermott is open to music suggestions and will answer questions via his e-mail address, kermit@kauradio.com. He also has a compilation of his KAUH shows and will share the link on request.
“Send music, heavy metal and even rock, to me and I’ll review it,” he said. “And if I like it, I’ll put it on the air.”
KAUH-LP features two recorded syndicated shows a week. “The Dan Scott Show” has Christian-themed interviews from noon to 1 p.m., and “Sunday Night Slow Jams” with DJ R-Dub plays from 8 to 10 p.m.
The rest of KAUH-LPs airtime is filled with lineups every night from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m. to entertain most audiences, Reed said. Monday through Sunday lineups feature the comedy of Fibber McGee and Molly. Tuesdays have drama from Lux Radio Theatre. Mystery is Wednesday’s theme with CBS Radio Mystery Theater. Family Night is on Thursdays with “Amos ‘n’ Andy Radio Show.” Sci-Fi and Adventure” shows are featured on Fridays with “X Minus One.” Family comedy and variety is the theme on Saturday with Jack Benny’s radio show. Mystery and horror end Sunday’s lineup with Mystery and Horror, including “Lights Out,” that Tim said is “a creepy one.”
Rick Sharp of Discovery Harbor was driving through Kahuku Park when he saw Tim Reed and decided to say “Hi.” Sharp has been listening to KAUH-LP and said he’s known Reed for many years.
“I absolutely love it,” he said later. “I love all the old stuff — Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra, Funk, Average White Band, War, Aretha Franklin, Eagles, Alman Brothers. “I know a fisherman who told me he listens to the station when he’s 30 miles out.”
Reed’s plans for KAUH-LP include adding a community calendar, broadcasting from locations in the Kaʻū area, fishing reports and hosting contests to make the station more interactive with listeners. He already covers community and other public meetings and wants to cover high-school games.
“But we need a sportscaster. We’re looking for more DJs too — sports, newscasters and we’re looking for kūpuna from Kaʻū to tell the true story of the Kaʻū history,” Reed said.
KAUH’s future is set for now and Reed said, “I just want to be the voice of Kaʻū and with our new transmitter and repeaters, we will be able to cover all Kaʻū.”
Photo by Kathy Reed – Tim Reed, KAUH-LP 104.7 FM co-owner & DJ, at the controls in his home studio, Ocean View, HI
