So anyways for about a week since the end, I happened to hear a real (non-recorded) voice on Krater 96.3. Didn’t catch a name, and initially, I thought it was a broadcast from the mainland (like what I think 101.9 does). But the Kona Chang clone mentioned something about Pearl City so he’s in Hawaii it seems. Haven’t heard the voice again for about 20 minutes, got boring once again…

Then I listened to KRATER96 on Thursday morning.

When did “Hammertime” just become “Time” as I listened to Zip Recruiter ads and Traitor by Oliva Rodrigo.

When did “your pal” become “your memory?”

Where was “Traffic on the 5” as I waited 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 minutes?

Then I understood. There was a mass firing aka workforce reduction of on-air personalities including my longtime favs, Gregg Hammer and Danielle Tucker. A sad day indeed for all those affected by this change and for us, the listeners who spent many years on the Hawaiian roadways with these voices.

Update 01-07-2022: Thanks to Claire for this Star Advertiser article about the layoffs. From my point of view, it did seem like a cost cutting measure with the more experienced (and assumedly higher paid) employees predominantly getting released.

Update #2 01-07-2022. Thanks to Matt for this larger view of the cuts by SummitMedia.

Get to see da buggah on TV soon enough!

I don’t know the details, and really it’s “noneya.” Suffice it to say, it’s been a great, great run of Hammertime that’s evolved since day 1 and saw the OG trio bond and develop the show’s format. The early day’s staccato is now a harmonious flow. Even with the replayed content, the dialog, transitions, music, and yes, even those teasers, seem effortless and help us morning commuters keep our sanity with the hilarity. Everyday’s broadcast is similar but different, giving us listeners a calming regularity but with an anticipation of that laughable Hammertime moment. Yes, Hammertime will go on just with a new (and very capable) member.

If you want to remember how it all started for Davey, Gregg, and Shawnee, take a look back to October 2013 and listen to Hammertime’s five minute early launch.

For a brief moment, both he and Shawnee were off-air, but Shawnee’s since returned. The crew might have mentioned why Wayne is now coordinating the show, but I missed the reason.

Anyone know where’s Davey D?

9/13 Update: Another week on air without Davey. I still don’t know what happened but to lighten the mood as Hammertime does, here are some possibilities.

Theory 1: The Happiest Place in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Maybe Davey didn’t have enough of the new Star Wars experience in Disneyland and went for an extended hana hou.

View this post on Instagram

I cried. For real. So happy! ???

A post shared by Davey D (@daveydhawaii) on Aug 25, 2019 at 11:20am PDT

Theory 2: Supporting the Mauna

Or Davey could have had a calling, took a leave of absence, and is now supporting the Mauna?

9/14 Final Update: Here’s the final update for this post. Davey is not returning to Hammertime.

Being at an essential standstill, I figured I’d ask Ms. Tucker what’s up with the local area traffic. The Twitterverse being the Twitterverse I never expected any kind of response but then came this online conversation.

Wow. Not only did she respond, she actually acted on my question, looking into the problematic intersection. And then, it was like she was actually watching the situation asking me if I made it through the last light (which coincidentally felt longer allowing more cars to proceed). Was Danielle working some Traffic Management Center magic like a traffic guardian angel? Who knows. All I know is that Danielle Tucker is the best traffic reporter on Oahu.

Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that she can take a joke being the target of Gregg Hammer’s Two Voice Tuesday impersonations.

While the contest is for the most creative, I gotta give it to the duet. Oh, the image I used is from the Lilly Pulitzer line at Target that’s just a time reference.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/198824196″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Here’s to H4H on April 1st!!

Driving my normal routes, the FM radio reception is staticky and even drops out at certain spots. This didn’t happen with the Toyota stereos. I figured this wouldn’t have been an issue for the luxury Lexus line, but it is, and it’s real bothersome. 

I talked with Bill at Progressive Auto Sounds in Aiea, and he said changing the deck wouldn’t necessarily improve radio reception. It may or it may not. An alternative is to stream radio broadcasts via a smartphone and apps like Tunein or iHeartRadio. But then, I’d still need to change the deck with a newer one that can connect to my iPhone. Guess I’ll be listening to static…

What a way to start Thursday morning! I had just pulled out of my driveway for my morning commute with the radio tuned to KRTR 96.3. Aunty Mildred Kaneakala was kicking off the morning’s Story Time when I heard my name on air. Wait, what was that? Did I hear Gregg Hammer as Aunty just give a shout out to his/her favorite blogger?!? Why yes I did (see the Instagram comments)!

Wait what? Did I hear @the.real.gregg.hammer mention my name this morning on Story Time?

A photo posted by @geewhy on Feb 26, 2015 at 11:14am PST

Sadly, I wasn’t ready to record the audio or fast enough to get the delayed playback on the Tunein app. So no recording, just memories of this special good morning! Thanks Gregg and keep everyone laughing in the mornings.

• 92.3 KSSK. Adult Contemporary Music
• 93.9 KHJZ. Rhythmic Adult Contemporary
• 97.1 KORL. Japanese – J-Pop Music
• 98.5 KDDN. Island Rhythm 98.5. Island Music
• 100.3 KCCN. FM 100: Island Music & Reggae
• 101.5 KORL. K-Rock: Hawaii’s Real Rock
• 101.9 KUCD. Star 101.9. Hawaii’s New Music Alternative (not working for me)
• 105.1 KINE. Contemporary Hawaiian Music
• 107.5 KORL. Hawaii’s K-Pop on FM (Korean)

There’s always Pandora and iTunes Radio…

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/169229319″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Another impetus for this change is the emergence of ALT105.9. The new KPOI plays modern alternative music instead of classic rock. After a short listen, I was hooked. Hit after hit played with nary a pause. I don’t know if this is the longer term format sans deejays but for now the music has me hooked.

Back to Gregg Hammer and Hammertime on KRTR 96.3. Gregg, Davey, and Shawnee have their groove going. The team has definitely worked on their show and have polished out the rough edges. It’s no longer a one man show like I originally felt, and the format isn’t so formulated as before. Gregg is given his moments of genius within the framework of the overall show and spots. A slew of local characters now make a daily appearance from Aunty’s Storytime to interruptions from Bubbles. Davey does a much better job setting up Gregg and his impersonations. Then there’s Shawnee offsetting the goofiness of the dudes and bringing a practical viewpoint to the show, but you gotta love Gregg’s impersonations of Shawnee’s ethnic and cultural backgrounds. OMG!

Let me tell you don’t underestimate the traffic report from Danielle Tucker. Simply the best on the morning drive. Descriptive with enough personality mixed in, and she tweets with those stuck in traffic. Traffic on the Five is it and so much more.

So where am I going with all of this? Hammertime on 96.3 continues to flourish, I’m liking the tunes on Alt 105.9, so the odd station out is Island 98.5.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/155842413″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/148475782″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

All-Asian Wayne Anzaki mixed with Austrian-American Arnold Schwarzenegger.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/147187280″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Perhaps a little controversial, but he was asked and Mr. Hammer produced, mixing Helen Keller and Bubba Smith. Don’t mind the Harley revving its engine in the background

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/147187514″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Say what? I can’t understand what “Oprah Chai” is saying. Maybe Oprah Winfrey and local chef Chai Chaowasaree can translate.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/147187625″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

And what’s with my SoundCloud images for these audio clips? Just playing around with SoundCloud’s integration with Instagram and using some of my recent shots.

I don’t know why, but the entire parade stopped in place for at least 5 minutes. During this dead air time, Gregg and Davey entertained the crowd telling jokes, poking fun at their sister station’s blown out sound system, and encouraging parade watchers to do the wave. As Mr. Hammer talked to the crowd, he noticed me filming and taking pics.

Meeting Gregg Hammer from Gee Why on Vimeo.

Talk about honored! Even in the dim lights of the parade, Gregg was able to spot and recognize me standing over on the sidewalk. He acknowledged me as “the blogger” and came over to shake my hand. Awestruck! We chatted a bit and took this pic (otherwise it never happened, right?).

Thanks Gregg! What an amazingly memorable way to meet in real life. No bah humbug here.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119847470″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

This prank call segment has some potential though I do feel bad for those getting punked aka hammer’d. One of these days, the person getting hammer’d won’t be able to take a joke and is bound to go off.

It’s a good song, but all day and all night? Well, not exactly. Seems like KRTR is making some upgrades and until done, this song ID is stuck on your radio and mine. Could be worse, KRTR could have been playing a Weird Al song. Anyways, here’s the miseducation of Lauryn Hill.