View source for KIKU

{{Other uses|Kiku (disambiguation){{!}}Kiku}}
{{Short description|Television station in Honolulu}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = KIKU
| city = 
| logo = Hawaii's KIKU logo 2022.webp
| logo_alt = A calligraphic K, looking like a Japanese character, in orange next to the words "Hawaii's K I K U" in two lines in a sans serif in white on a blue brushstroke background
| logo_upright = 1
| branding = {{ubl|Hawaii's KIKU|''KITV 4 Island News'' (newscasts)}}
| digital = 19 ([[UHF]])
| virtual = 20
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''20.1:''' [[Multicultural]] [[Independent station|Independent]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| translators = 
| airdate = {{start date and age|1983|12|30|p=y}}
| location = [[Honolulu]], Hawaii
| country = United States
| callsign_meaning = "Kiku" is {{lang|ja|キク(菊)}}, or [[Chrysanthemum]] in [[Japanese language|Japanese]]; former call letters of [[KHNL]] when it aired Japanese-language programming, 1967–1984
| former_callsigns = KHAI-TV (1983–1993)
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 20 (UHF, 1983–2009)
| owner = [[Allen Media Group]]{{r|kikutoallen}}
| licensee = KIKU, [[LLC]]
| operator = 
| sister_stations = [[KITV]]
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[ShopHQ]] (2021–2022)|[[UPN]] (secondary, 2004–2006)|[[FUNimation Channel]] (secondary, 2006–2007)}}
| erp = 60.7 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|606.4|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| class = 
| facility_id = 34527
| coordinates = {{coord|21|23|40|N|158|5|51|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.kitv.com/kiku/}}
}}

'''KIKU''' (channel 20) is an [[independent television station]] in [[Honolulu]], Hawaii, United States, which primarily airs [[Japanese language|Japanese]] and [[Filipino language|Filipino]] programming. It is owned by [[Allen Media Group]] alongside [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate [[KITV]] (channel 4). The two stations share studios on South King Street in downtown Honolulu; KIKU's transmitter is located in [[Nānākuli]].

Channel 20 in Honolulu went on air in December 1983 as KHAI-TV. Though built and originally owned by Tennessee-based Media Central, it has specialized in Asian programming for nearly its entire history. International Channel Network acquired KHAI-TV in 1989 as part of Media Central's bankruptcy. JN Productions took over operations in 1993 and changed the station's call sign to KIKU; its owner, Joanne Ninomiya, had been the general manager of [[KHNL|channel 13]] when that station was Japanese-language KIKU-TV. JN continued to supply Japanese-language programming for KIKU until 2004. [[UPN]] programming aired on channel 20 from 2004 to the network's closure in 2006. In addition, the station produced local programming, some of which was aimed at the Vietnamese and Filipino communities in Hawaii.

After passing through a number of owners including AsianMedia Group and NRJ TV, WRNN-TV Associates acquired the station in 2019. As part of a group affiliation agreement, KIKU converted to the home shopping network [[ShopHQ]] in June 2021, a switch met with outcry and dismay by Hawaii viewers. Allen Media Group acquired KIKU in 2022 and immediately restored its prior program format, augmented by English-language syndicated programs and local newscasts from KITV.

==KIKU on channel 13==
{{main|KHNL#KIKU-TV: The Japanese-language years}}

The call sign KIKU first was associated with Japanese-language television in Honolulu in 1967, when Richard Eaton bought [[KHNL|KTRG-TV]] (channel 13) from David Watumull and renamed it KIKU-TV ({{nihongo|kiku|キク(菊)}} being the Japanese word for the [[chrysanthemum]] flower<ref name="Hono751102">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-a-little-insight/124394068/|date=November 2, 1975|page=Aloha TV 3|first=John|last=Little|title=a Little insight: KIKU-TV|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907013400/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-a-little-insight/124394068/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->).<ref name="Hono671005">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-50-of-ktrg-tvs/124398994/|date=October 5, 1967|page=D-1|title=50% of KTRG-TV's programs to be Japanese, new owner says|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=May 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513213037/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-50-of-ktrg-tvs/124398994/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Hono671008">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-ex-newspaperman/124393786/|date=October 8, 1967|page=TV-Aloha 1|first=Bert|last=Darr|title=Ex-Newspaperman: New Island TV Owner|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907012341/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-ex-newspaperman/124393786/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> His announced plans to make channel 13 a primarily Japanese-language station had led to scrutiny of the transaction by the [[Federal Communications Commission]]; during this time, the station's intended general manager programmed two hours a week of Japanese-language shows.<ref name="initial">{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f525WRL28B4C&dq=%22dogs+and+cats+of+station+sales%22&pg=PA87|date=July 21, 1967|title=Initial Decision (10 FCC 2d 59)|first=Thomas|last=Donahue|work=Federal Communications Commission Reports|access-date=July 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907012438/https://books.google.com/books?id=f525WRL28B4C&dq=%22dogs+and+cats+of+station+sales%22&pg=PA87|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|77}} By 1967, the station programmed entirely in Japanese.{{r|Hono751102}}

In 1968, it began nightly telecasts of [[sumo wrestling]].<ref name="Hono680512">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-title-tv-matches/124393774/|date=May 12, 1968|page=Aloha TV 1|first=Bert|last=Darr|title=Title TV Matches: KIKU Starts Sumo Bouts|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907013333/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-title-tv-matches/124393774/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The station introduced English-language subtitles on its Japanese-language programs in 1970, which proved popular and expanded to having half of all programs subtitled by 1975.{{r|Hono751102}} Another channel 13 specialty was children's programming; it aired such {{lang|ja-Latn|[[tokusatsu]]}} programs as ''[[Kamen Rider (1971 TV series)|Kamen Rider]]'', ''[[Warrior of Love Rainbowman|Rainbowman]]'', and ''[[Android Kikaider]]'' (known in Hawaii as ''Kikaida'').{{r|Hono751102}}<ref name="Hono750105">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-kikaider-sweeps/124588948/|date=January 5, 1975|pages=A3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-kikaider-sweeps/124588802/ A6]|first=Karen|last=Horton|title=Kikaider sweeps the Islands|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=May 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513213036/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-kikaider-sweeps/124588948/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The success of the latter was particularly noteworthy; the show beat ''[[Sesame Street]]'' in the ratings, and it was noted in an article in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine.<ref name="time">{{cite magazine|title=Clockwork Sushi|magazine=Time|volume=105|issue=18|date=May 5, 1975|id={{EBSCOhost|53514916}} }}</ref> A station employee, Hideo Fujii, recalled that "older people in the [[Nikkei people|Nikkei community]] would sit up straight in bed and weep" watching KIKU's programs.<ref name="matsunaga">{{Cite journal |last=Matsunaga |first=Tomoko |date=April 2015 |title=複合文化社会・ハワイの日本語テレビ --テレビ雑誌『Kokiku』に着目して-- |trans-title=<Research notes> Hawaii's Japanese TV Programs in a Multicultural Society: Focusing on the Hawaii TV Magazine 'Kokiku' |url=https://doi.org/10.14989/KJMH_1_217 |journal=Kyoto Journal of Media History |language=ja |volume=1 |pages=217–237 |doi=10.14989/KJMH_1_217 |access-date=November 11, 2023 |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111022012/https://repository.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp/dspace/handle/2433/241473 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1979, KIKU-TV was sold by Eaton to Mid-Pacific Television Associates.<ref name="Hono790620">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-kiku-tv-is-bought/124590132/|date=June 20, 1979|page=B-7|title=KIKU-TV Is Bought by Local Investors|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907013334/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-kiku-tv-is-bought/124590132/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Hono791217">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-fcc-okays-sale-of/124394119/|date=December 17, 1979|page=2|title=FCC Okays Sale of Channel 13|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=May 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513213040/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-fcc-okays-sale-of/124394119/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> The new ownership proposed to reduce the proportion of Japanese-language programming at the station. This prompted general manager Joanne Ninomiya, who had run channel 13 since 1969,<ref name="Hono710709">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-tv-job-is-globa/124588448/|date=July 9, 1971|page=D-2|first=Vickie|last=Ong|title=TV job is 'global' operation|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907013337/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-tv-job-is-globa/124588448/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> to depart in January 1981; she then started her own company, JN Productions, to broadcast Japanese-language shows on cable.<ref name="Hono810818">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-japanese-shows-t/124589604/|date=August 18, 1981|page=A-7|title=Japanese shows to be broadcast on cable television|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=May 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513211040/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-japanese-shows-t/124589604/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The new KIKU-TV ownership instituted a mostly English-language program lineup in June 1981.<ref name="Hono810618">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-new-kiku-format/124590331/|date=June 18, 1981|pages=C-5, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-kiku-change-sad/124590560/ C-6]|title=New KIKU format mostly in English|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=May 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513212538/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-new-kiku-format/124590331/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> 

Under new general manager [[Rick Blangiardi]], in 1984, KIKU-TV changed its call sign to [[KHNL]].<ref name="Hono840528">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-ex-coach-calls-f/124398817/|date=May 28, 1984|page=B-2|first=Rick|last=Carroll|title=Ex-coach calls for razzle-dazzle at Channel 13|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907013850/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-ex-coach-calls-f/124398817/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Ninomiya renewed her association with KHNL beginning in 1986, providing six hours of Japanese programs on Sundays as well as a daily newscast from Japan and subtitled sumo broadcasts.<ref name="Hono880513">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-tv-subtitles-refl/124592050/|date=May 13, 1988|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-sumo-on-tv-its-p/124592113/ D4]|first=Paul|last=Carvalho|title=TV subtitles reflect popularity of sumo: Joanne Ninomiya's subtitles help local viewers understand a foreign sport|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907013845/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-tv-subtitles-refl/124592050/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="Hono890803">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-ninomiyas-the-be/124594767/|date=August 3, 1989|page=A-3|first=Nelson|last=Jacinto|title=Ninomiya's the best in isle TV|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907013841/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-ninomiyas-the-be/124594767/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

==History==
===Construction===
In late 1978, a group of investors known as Sunset Communications Corporation was formed to file for channel 20. Sunset shared investors with Delta Television, a subsidiary of advertising firm Petry Television that had put [[WPTY-TV]] in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], on air earlier that year. For one of the principals, John A. Serrao, it was a return to Hawaii, as he had been general manager of [[KHVH-TV]] (channel 4) in the early 1960s when it was owned by [[Kaiser Broadcasting]].<ref name="Hono781215">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-to-be-on-air-in-1/124664590/|date=December 15, 1978|page=B-11|title=To Be on Air in 1980: Group Plans Isle UHF TV Station|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514205216/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-to-be-on-air-in-1/124664590/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The channel 20 construction permit was granted on August 12, 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/621c4c74-b887-15dc-8f6c-751f9e0fc3af|title=FCC History Cards for KIKU|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=December 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204100237/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/621c4c74-b887-15dc-8f6c-751f9e0fc3af|url-status=live}}</ref>

The group sold the permit to Media Central of [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]], in 1982; under Media Central, the station began broadcasting as KHAI-TV on December 30, 1983, with Japanese-language programming from the [[TBS Television (Japan)|Tokyo Broadcasting System]].<ref name="Hono831225">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-khai-tv-channel-2/124591888/|date=December 25, 1983|page=TV Week 15|title=KHAI-TV Channel 20|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514204642/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-khai-tv-channel-2/124591888/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> It was the fifth station Media Central built during 1983.<ref name="BC870713">{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-07-13.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=July 13, 1987|title=Media Central files for bankruptcy|id={{ProQuest|1016931866}}|pages=26–27|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030822/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-07-13.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to Japanese-language programming, the station added Filipino programming in 1986 and shows in Korean in March 1989.<ref name="Hono890718">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-la-station-buy/124671826/|date=July 18, 1989|page=D-3|title=L.A. station buying KHAI|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514202205/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-la-station-buy/124671826/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> However, its broadcast day was limited. In 1986, the station switched from signing on at noon to beginning at 4 p.m. because [[Oceanic Cable]], the dominant cable provider on Oahu, placed it on the same channel as [[The Discovery Channel]].<ref name="Hono860724">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-uhf-station-khai/124671571/|date=July 24, 1986|page=B-2|first=Dianne|last=Conrad|title=UHF Station KHAI to Change Broadcasting Hours|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514204251/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-uhf-station-khai/124671571/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

===ICN/AsianMedia ownership===
In 1987, Media Central filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]].{{r|BC870713}} KHAI was sold for $1.75 million to International Channel Network (ICN), which owned [[Los Angeles]] multicultural station [[KSCI]], in 1989.{{r|Hono890718}} ICN moved the station to new studios on Sand Island Access Road in 1991, built a new transmitter, and expanded its weekly broadcasting by 28 hours; more than half of the new airtime featured programming in Chinese.<ref name="Hono910717">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-khai-tv-plans-new/124672060/|date=July 17, 1991|page=D-1|title=KHAI-TV plans new facilities, more programs: It will move into a new studio and broadcast 28 hours more each week|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514204255/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-khai-tv-plans-new/124672060/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

ICN brokered the station's airtime to JN Productions, the programming and subtitling company owned by Joanne Ninomiya, in 1993; JN began handling sales and programming duties. The first move made with the change in management was the consolidation of the cable programming from JN Productions as well as KHNL's Japanese-language shows onto channel 20's schedule.<ref name="Hono930706">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-jn-productions-to/124592335/|date=July 6, 1993|page=D-1|first=Russ|last=Lynch|title=JN Productions to run KHAI-TV: Japanese language shows will run on just 1 channel|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907015347/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-jn-productions-to/124592335/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Ninomiya also changed the station's call sign to KIKU.<ref name="Hono930902">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-color-architects/124592409/|date=September 2, 1993|page=E-8|first=Dave|last=Donnelly|title=Color architects glad to be working on House of Blues|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514204641/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-color-architects/124592409/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Hono930904">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-khai-tv-is-renam/124592429/|date=September 4, 1993|page=B2|title=KHAI-TV is renamed KIKU|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907015347/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-khai-tv-is-renam/124592429/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

KSCI and KIKU were sold in 2000 to a consortium of ''[[The Korea Times (Los Angeles)|The Korea Times]]'' and private equity firm [[Leonard Green & Partners]], known as AsianMedia Group.<ref name="Hono001012">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-kiku-to-join-majo/124672466/|date=October 12, 2000|pages=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-tv-station-chang/124672493/ B-4]|first=Russ|last=Lynch|title=KIKU to join major Asian media group|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514210148/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-kiku-to-join-majo/124672466/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In 2004, JN Productions ceased providing programming functions for the station, though it continued to supply KIKU with subtitles for its Japanese-language programming; the station brought programming operations in-house.<ref name="Hono040129">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-kiku-jn-producti/124589323/|date=January 29, 2004|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-thebuzz-jn-produ/124589359/ C5]|first=Erika|last=Engle|title=KIKU, JN Productions partnership to downsize|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514203712/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-kiku-jn-producti/124589323/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In 2007, Japan's [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] honored Ninomiya with the [[Order of the Rising Sun]], Gold and Silver Rays for contributing to "introducing Japanese culture and promoting friendship between Japan and the United States".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/ICSFiles/afieldfile/2007/11/08/2007AutumnConfermentofDecor.pdf|date=November 8, 2007|title=2007 Autumn Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals|page=6|website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=September 22, 2009|archive-date=August 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807052155/http://www.mofa.go.jp/ICSFiles/afieldfile/2007/11/08/2007AutumnConfermentofDecor.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 

KIKU was the last of four stations to air [[UPN]] programming in Hawaii when it began airing the network's programs on November 1, 2004. UPN programs were usually broadcast in the late afternoon, leaving Japanese-language shows in prime time.<ref name="Hono041028">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-kiku-tv-to-pick/124672651/|date=October 28, 2004|pages=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-kiku/124672686/ E5]|first=Wayne|last=Harada|title=KIKU-TV to pick up UPN programs|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=October 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028180625/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-kiku-tv-to-pick/124672651/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The original UPN affiliate had been [[KHII-TV|KFVE]]; when it dropped UPN to emphasize [[The WB]], [[KHON-TV]] and [[KGMB]] then split UPN programming.{{r|Hono041028}} KIKU was the only Honolulu station that could provide a two-hour block to air UPN prime time programming.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2004/tv/news/affiliates-match-up-odd-couples-1117913473/|date=November 14, 2004|title=Affiliates match up odd couples: Nets improvise to edge into a market|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Michael|last=Schneider|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514201244/https://variety.com/2004/tv/news/affiliates-match-up-odd-couples-1117913473/|url-status=live}}</ref> When The WB and UPN merged to form [[The CW]] in 2006, KIKU passed on the offering because The CW wanted prime time clearance for its programming.<ref name="Hono060904">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-seasonal-transiti/124675958/|date=September 4, 2006|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-gilmore-hit-sh/124676076/ D5]|first=Gary C.W.|last=Chun|title=Seasonal transition: Fans of "Gilmore Girls" hope it lands a local channel before the season begins|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514202746/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-seasonal-transiti/124675958/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> In addition to shows it purchased, KIKU produced local programming. This included short-form segments such as ''The Wisdom of Hawai‘i's Elders'', ''Japanese Word of the Day'', and ''[[Itadakimasu]]''.{{r|kawamoto}} Its output also included a local show in [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] and another in English aimed at the Filipino community.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/asian-american-market-ready-108275|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=Allison|last=Romano|title=Asian-American Market Is Ready|date=October 7, 2005|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514202044/https://www.nexttv.com/news/asian-american-market-ready-108275|url-status=live}}</ref> For a time, it aired anime syndicated by the [[Funimation Channel]], making it the service's first non-cable affiliate; KIKU broadcast dubbed versions of select shows every weekday from 6 to 7 p.m. and 10 to 11&nbsp;p.m.<ref name="Hono060925">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-kiku-airs-4-anime/124678382/|date=September 25, 2006|page=D9|first=Jason S.|last=Yadao|title=KIKU airs 4 anime series|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514210650/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-kiku-airs-4-anime/124678382/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

KIKU discontinued analog broadcasting on January 15, 2009, the date on which full-power television stations in Hawaii [[Digital television transition in the United States|transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts]]. The transition in Hawaii had been brought forward from the original February 17 national switch date—itself later delayed to June—because of concern that the dismantling of existing transmitter towers atop [[Haleakalā]] on [[Maui]] would affect the mating season of the endangered [[Hawaiian petrel]], which begins in February.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hawaiimagazine.com/digital-tv-in-hawaii-comes-early-for-endangered-bird/|first=Chris|last=Bailey|title=Digital TV in Hawaii comes early for endangered bird|work=Hawaiʻi Magazine|date=December 11, 2008|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131232902/https://www.hawaiimagazine.com/digital-tv-in-hawaii-comes-early-for-endangered-bird/|url-status=live}}</ref> KIKU continued to broadcast on its pre-transition channel 19, using [[virtual channel]] 20.<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> 

In January 2012, AsianMedia Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection; the station, along with KSCI in Los Angeles and its [[San Diego]] repeater [[KUAN-LP]], was sold to NRJ TV (a company unrelated to European broadcaster [[NRJ Radio]]) for $45 million in March 2012, in a transaction that included the assumption of AsianMedia Group's debt.<ref name=tvbr-saletonrj>{{cite news|last=Seyler|first=Dave|title=Three more stations going to NRJ TV|url=http://rbr.com/three-more-stations-going-to-nrj-tv/|access-date=April 2, 2012|newspaper=Television Business Report|date=April 2, 2012|archive-date=April 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406134916/http://rbr.com/three-more-stations-going-to-nrj-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=tvnc-saletonrj>{{cite news|title=NRJ TV Paying $45 Million for LA Independent|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2012/04/02/58475/nrj-tv-paying-45-million-for-la-independent|access-date=April 2, 2012|newspaper=TVNewsCheck|date=April 2, 2012|archive-date=October 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028180631/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/nrj-tv-paying-45-million-for-la-independent/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sale to WRNN-TV Associates; home shopping programming===
{{Quote box
| quote = Disappointment, disbelief, indignation. No more [[Kōhaku Uta Gassen|Red and White Song Festival]] at New Year's? No ''[[Abarenbo Shogun]]'' revivals or cute commercials for Gyotaku restaurants? In favor of another 24-hour shopping network?!
| author = Kathy Collins
| source = opinion columnist for ''[[The Maui News]]'', on her reaction to learning of KIKU's switch to ShopHQ<ref name="Maui210602">{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Kathy |date=June 2, 2021 |title=Sharing Mana‘o |url=https://www.mauinews.com/opinion/columns/2021/06/sharing-manao-210/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=The Maui News |language=en-US |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620135019/https://www.mauinews.com/opinion/columns/2021/06/sharing-manao-210/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| align = right
| width = 250px
| salign = left
}}
On December 9, 2019, [[WRNN-TV]] Associates announced it would purchase NRJ's TV stations;<ref name="nrjtvsale">{{cite press release|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/12/09/1958146/0/en/RNN-Reaches-Agreement-to-Increase-Permanent-Distribution-Platform-to-28-Percent-of-the-US-With-NRJ-Purchase.html|title=RNN Reaches Agreement to Increase Permanent Distribution Platform to 28 Percent of the US With NRJ Purchase|website=Globe Newswire|date=December 9, 2019|access-date=December 10, 2019|archive-date=December 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210140556/http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/12/09/1958146/0/en/RNN-Reaches-Agreement-to-Increase-Permanent-Distribution-Platform-to-28-Percent-of-the-US-With-NRJ-Purchase.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the acquisition received FCC approval in January 2020 and was completed the next month.<ref name="nrjtvsaleapproved">{{Cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1813384|title=Application Search Details|website=Consolidated Database System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=February 13, 2020|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513020412/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1813384|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101815245&formid=905&fac_num=29015|website=Consolidated Database System|title=Consummation Notice|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=February 13, 2020|archive-date=August 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813150821/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101815245&formid=905&fac_num=29015|url-status=live}}</ref> WRNN-TV Associates continued the Asian format until announcing in May 2021 that it would affiliate all of the stations it owned with [[ShopHQ]], a home shopping network, on June 28. For ShopHQ, this deal brought high-definition cable and satellite carriage on TV stations reaching more than 20 million homes in the major markets of New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Francisco, Houston, Washington, and Boston.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2021-05-20/imedia-s-shophq-set-to-launch-in-20-million-high-definition-homes-in-top-u-s-markets|via=Globe Newswire|title=iMedia's ShopHQ Set to Launch in 20+ Million High-Definition Homes in Top U.S. Markets|date=May 20, 2021|author=iMedia Brands LLC}}</ref> The deal included KIKU; eight days later, the station announced that "The Rumor Is True" and that ShopHQ would displace all of KIKU's existing programming.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Rumor is True |url=https://kikutv.com/the-rumor-is-true/ |website=KIKU-TV |access-date=July 1, 2021 |date=May 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614111611/https://kikutv.com/the-rumor-is-true/|archive-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref> It also meant the closure of the KIKU studio in the Pacific Guardian Center, in part because ShopHQ programming did not include local advertising.{{r|PBN210528}}

The change led to considerable outcry, including among older viewers that had watched the station for decades and were not necessarily fluent in English.{{r|Hono210613}} Station manager Phyllis Kihara told ''[[American City Business Journals|Pacific Business News]]'', "We've been getting calls and emails and texts all day. When you look at Facebook, the messages people are leaving, we're really sorry we're going to lose this and I think that's what the people of Hawaii feel like, too."<ref name="PBN210528">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2021/05/28/kiku-changes-programming.html|first=Brian|last=McInnis|date=May 28, 2021|title=Hawaii TV channel KIKU to shift out of Japanese language programming|work=Pacific Business News|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530133623/https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2021/05/28/kiku-changes-programming.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Kihara went as far as to provide aggrieved viewers her direct contact information.{{r|Maui210602}} Observers, including Ninomiya, noted that running a Japanese-language TV station carried with it significant costs for licensing programs and additional expenses and needed personnel skills to translate and subtitle them.<ref name="kawamoto">{{Cite magazine |last=Kawamoto |first=Kevin Y. |date=July 16, 2021 |title=Japanese Language Media in Hawai‘i: A Labor of Love and Devotion |url=https://www.thehawaiiherald.com/2021/07/16/lead-story-japanese-language-media-in-hawaii/ |magazine=The Hawai‘i Herald |language=en-US |access-date=November 11, 2023 |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323194822/https://www.thehawaiiherald.com/2021/07/16/lead-story-japanese-language-media-in-hawaii/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Hono210613">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser-kikus-programm/124589048/|date=June 13, 2021|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser-kiku/124589023/ B5]|first=Jayna|last=Omaye|title=KIKU's programming change disappoints viewers|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Advertiser|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2023|archive-date=November 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111021955/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser-kikus-programm/124589048/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> While a variety of sources for Japanese- and Filipino-language programming, such as [[Nippon Golden Network]], continued to be available, these were all pay services to which viewers may not have necessarily been able to subscribe.{{r|Hono210613}} In advance of the change in format, KIKU scheduled episodes in such a way as to complete series, airing some shows twice a week or more.{{r|PBN210528}}

===Sale to Allen Media Group===
Only three months after the change to ShopHQ, on September 27, 2021, it was announced that KIKU would be sold to Allen Media Broadcasting, owner of [[KITV]], for $4,000,000.<ref name="kikutoallen">{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/assignmentDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff37c0a688a017c0df1010d03d6&id=25076ff37c0a688a017c0df1010d03d6|title=Assignments|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|date=September 27, 2021|accessdate=September 28, 2021|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928025849/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/assignmentDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff37c0a688a017c0df1010d03d6&id=25076ff37c0a688a017c0df1010d03d6|url-status=live}}</ref> The sale was completed on January 31, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/consummationDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076f917d0707c3017d0acd1c2d0ee6&id=25076f917d0707c3017d0acd1c2d0ee6|title=Notification of Consummation|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|date=February 2, 2022|accessdate=February 2, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203001429/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/consummationDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076f917d0707c3017d0acd1c2d0ee6&id=25076f917d0707c3017d0acd1c2d0ee6|url-status=live}}</ref>

Allen immediately moved to restore much of the prior programming and format to KIKU. On January 31, KIKU returned to airing Japanese and Filipino programming, as well as local newscasts from KITV. It also added [[Entertainment Studios]] and other syndicated content to fill the schedule out further.<ref>{{cite web|title=Say Aloha to our returning sister station KIKU TV|url=https://www.kitv.com/news/local/say-aloha-to-our-returning-sister-station-kiku-tv/article_edd147a4-832e-11ec-99a3-2710eab0c30e.html|date=January 31, 2022|accessdate=February 1, 2022|website=kitv.com|archive-date=February 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201122949/https://www.kitv.com/news/local/say-aloha-to-our-returning-sister-station-kiku-tv/article_edd147a4-832e-11ec-99a3-2710eab0c30e.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2022/02/02/kitv4-owner-relaunches-kiku-tv-with.html|date=February 2, 2022|title=KITV4 owner relaunches KIKU TV with Japanese, Filipino programming|work=Pacific Business News|first=Olivia|last=Peterkin|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=October 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028180629/https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2022/02/02/kitv4-owner-relaunches-kiku-tv-with.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The general manager of KITV said that KIKU's new schedule would include about 75 percent of the programs the station had been airing prior to switching to ShopHQ,<ref name="Hono220203">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser-kiku-tv-makes-i/134981204/|date=February 3, 2022|page=B4|title=KIKU-TV makes its return after several months off air: About 75% of its Japanese and Filipino shows are slated to return|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Advertiser|first=Jayna|last=Omaye|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2023|archive-date=November 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111022007/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser-kiku-tv-makes-i/134981204/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> including some subtitled shows.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hazra |first=Adriana |date=February 6, 2022 |title=Hawaii's KIKU-TV Relaunches as Part of KITV4 Network |language=en |work=[[Anime News Network]] |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-02-06/hawaii-kiku-tv-relaunches-as-part-of-kitv4-network/.182266 |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=March 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303035534/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-02-06/hawaii-kiku-tv-relaunches-as-part-of-kitv4-network/.182266 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On June 1, 2025, amid financial woes and rising debt, Allen Media Group announced that it would explore "strategic options" for the company, such as a sale of its television stations (including KIKU and KITV).<ref>{{cite news|last=Weprin|first=Alex|date=June 1, 2025|title=Byron Allen Puts His Local TV Stations Up for Sale|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/byron-allen-selling-local-tv-stations-up-1236235004/|access-date=June 1, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Mark K. |date=June 2, 2025 |title=Allen Media Group Retains Moelis To Sell Its TV Stations |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/allen-media-group-retains-moelis-to-sell-its-tv-stations/ |access-date=June 2, 2025 |website=TVNewsCheck |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Subchannels==
KIKU's transmitter is located in [[Nānākuli]].{{r|FCC-LMS-34527}} The station's signal is [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of KIKU<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KIKU#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KIKU|website=[[RabbitEars]]|access-date=May 14, 2023|archive-date=May 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514210650/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KIKU#station|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 20.1 
| [[720p]] || [[16:9]] || KIKU || Main KIKU programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 20.2 
| rowspan="3"| [[480i]] || rowspan="3"| [[4:3]] || MeToons || [[MeTV Toons]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 20.3 
| LAFF || [[Laff (TV network)|Laff]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 20.5 
| JTV || [[Jewelry TV]]
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;"
! scope = "row" | [[KHII-TV|9.2]]
| 480i || 16:9 || Rewind || [[Rewind TV]] ([[KHII-TV]])
|}
{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}

==See also==
*[[Nippon Golden Network]]
*[[TV Japan]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.kitv.com/kiku/}}

{{Hawaii TV}}
{{Chinese language television in North America}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kiku}}
[[Category:1983 establishments in Hawaii]]
[[Category:Allen Media Group]]
[[Category:Filipino-American culture in Honolulu]]
[[Category:Independent television stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Japanese-American culture in Honolulu]]
[[Category:Japanese-language television stations]]
[[Category:Laff (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:MeTV Toons affiliates]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1983]]
[[Category:Television stations in Hawaii|IKU]]