Japanese & Filipino TV Shows Return to KIKU

The owner of Hawaii’s KITV 4 (the ABC affiliate) have purchased KIKU TV and restored its ethnic programming to the main channel. Programming details are outlined in the linked video shown above.

KIKU TV had a long history of programming television shows from Japan and the Philippines since 1984. The station signed on as KHAI TV back in 1980 but had is call sign switched as well as its programming in 1984 when the old station using the KIKU call sign switched to KHNL. Both stations are still on the air today where KHNL is now the NBC affiliate co-owned by the same firm that also owns KGMB TV.

In the summer of 2021 KIKU switched its programming from Japanese / Filipino shows to 24 hours a day shopping by its former owner. With the advent of KITV’s alliance with KIKU, the Japanese programs have returned much to the joy of longtime viewers and fans. Both KITV and KIKU operate several sub-channels OTA and it is hopeful that some of the Japanese programs can be expanded to them. In addition, KIKU will also air the KITV 4 News, the ABC affiliate’s local newscast. News is something KIKU never had until now.

Can’t wait to see re-runs of classic favorites such as Kikaida and Kamen Rider. They did it before they can do them again.