20 Oct 2009

American Samoa radio station garners international plaudits for efforts during tsunami

3:44 pm on 20 October 2009

American Samoa radio station 93 KHJ Radio in Pago Pago has been honoured by the International Broadcasters Idea Bank, the IBIB, for the station's efforts in warning the public about last month's devastating tsunami.

The IBIB represents 450 radio stations in the US and the Pacific.

Its executive director, David Luthen, says the warning aired by KHJ Radio probably helped save many lives in American Samoa.

Mr Luther also commended the station for restoring broadcasts as quickly as possible when it set up a makeshift studio at the station's mountaintop transmitter site.

KHJ general manager Joey Cummings and morning show co-host, Lupe Lu Lohman, who were on air when the earthquake and tsunami occurred, were praised as dedicated broadcasters who stayed at their posts as the disaster unfolded.