KGMB9 created island history by bringing television to Hawaii on December 1, 1952. For years, the station carried programming from all major networks, later affiliating exclusively with CBS.

Originally owned by the Hawaii Broadcasting System, KGMB-TV and its sister radio station were later owned by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin (1960). Then, Congressman-to-be Cec Heftel bought the stations, creating the Pacific Broadcasting Company, later known as Heftel Broadcasting Corp.

During the Heftel years, KGMB-TV became KGMB9 and color swept the airwaves. Top-rated local programming like "Checkers & Pogo," and "LIVE" satellite service (instead of tape-delay shows) were added, and a commercial production company known as Hawaii Production Center, became a dominant player in the market.

In 1977, Lee Enterprises of Davenport, Iowa, purchased KGMB9, an ownership position that spanned the next 20 years. In 2000, the station was purchased by EMMIS Communications.

In June of 2007, KGMB9 entered a new era when *Greenlaw/Marshall Communications (GMC) purchased the station. Within a few months of new ownership, KGMB9 transitioned into a non-linear (tapeless) television station, built a new News Studio, launched a new website, and expanded its News Department with the addition of Sunrise on KGMB9.

The new morning newscast debuted on September 17, 2007. The show’s title, Sunrise on KGMB9, pays homage to the first LIVE television news program to air in the Islands. This first-of-its-kind broadcast, called Sunrise, premiered in 1954 and aired every weekday morning on KGMB-TV.

KGMB9 has become known for quality commercial production, quality local programming, and a top-notch news operation, winning Hawaii's first ever Peabody Award, followed by the market's first Emmy in 1981.

Many more Emmys were awarded over the years, including a programming trophy to "Hawaiian Moving Company" in 1984. Another Emmy for "Always Remember," a news department retrospective on Pearl Harbor, was added in 2002, and most recently, the KGMB9 Sport’s Department was honored for its work on the June Jones Show.

The station has also been the recipient of ten IRIS Awards from NAPTE, again competing against California stations in larger markets such as San Francisco.

Adding to the totals are six New York Film and TV Festival Medals, two United Press International News Awards, a National Press Club Award, a Chicago Film Festival Silver Medal, a Gabriel Award for children's programming, an International Film and TV Festival Gold Medal, an NAB Service to Children Award, 10 Telly Awards to Hawaii Production Center for excellence in commercial production, and two additional Pele Awards for outstanding commercial production.

KGMB9 was the first station in Hawaii to provide closed-captioned newscasts for the hearing-impaired and Sunrise on KGMB9 is the only morning newscast airing with real time closed captioning.

Today, the emphasis is on providing in-depth coverage of Hawaii's headlines as well as coverage of severe weather conditions that threaten the Islands. We aim to maintain our franchise as Hawaii's top producer of quality local programming.

Owners have changed. Equipment and technology have changed, television itself has changed. What hasn't changed is the commitment to quality people and product that defines what KGMB9 is today.

*GMC is a wholly owned portfolio company of Virginia-based MCG Capital Corporation. CEO, Douglas J. Greenlaw is a media veteran. His experience includes President of Multimedia Inc., CEO of Whittle Communications, Ventures Division; top executive at The Family Channel and MTV Networks.

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