David DLG. Atalig, one of the three founders of the radio station, said Betelnut Radio was formed to “bring local indigenous music and memories to the world.”
Atalig said Betelnut Radio listeners include those from the U.S. mainland, Guam, the Philippines, Germany, Italy, France, Canada, Japan, China, South Korea, Bahrain and many other countries.
He said he and his two partners Frank “Kiko” Oliver and PJ Camacho came up with the idea after reading a posting on Facebook from a friend who wished there was a streaming local music station.
They formed Betelnut Radio in August last year, offering musical collections and generating playlists based on what friends and family members throughout the world wanted.
Island songs are delivered via any desktop, laptop or mobile device. A high speed internet connection is not even required because Betelnut Radio streams at 64kbps.
“Betelnut Radio is committed to bringing the islands to our locals abroad and around the world — away from the islands — by broadcasting the John Gonzales Show and the Marianas Agupa Radio Show on Betelnut Radio,” Atalig said.
He said they will also be airing a show dedicated to the Palauan community while working with a group of Polynesian/Melanesian music promoters in bringing music from the other Pacific Islands, such as Tonga, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tahiti, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea.
Atalig said they came up with the name betelnut because it’s an “island” thing.
“We wanted to be different and we didn’t want to just be Marianas. We wanted to expand to the whole Pacific Islands,” he said.
Frank “Kiko” Oliver used to work as a music teacher at Hopwood Junior High School, and as a DJ with KRSI Hot 98 FM. He now runs his own business producing radio commercials for radio stations across the U.S.
PJ Camacho, born and raised on Saipan, is an artist and webmaster. He handles the web content of Betelnut Radio while working with Maddog Wireless radio stations, and his music.
Atalig was born on Guam but raised on Saipan. He went to San Diego for high school and college and returned to Saipan to work. He left again in 2007 for Oregon. He handles all the sales and advertising of Betelnut Radio while still working with Portland State University.
To listen to island music, tune in to betelnutradio.com where you can make requests on your favorite songs. For more information, email [email protected].
