| Callsign: | KKAI |
| City: | Kailua, Hawaii |
| Branding: | KKAI 15 |
| Digital: | 29 (UHF) |
| Virtual: | 50 |
| Location: | Kailua–Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Country: | United States |
| Callsign Meaning: | Kailua (city of license) |
| Licensee: | Bridge News LLC |
| Sister Stations: | KUPU |
| Erp: | 38.5 kW |
| Haat: | 3730NaN0 |
| Facility Id: | 83180 |
| Coordinates: | 21.4221°N -157.7558°W |
| Licensing Authority: | FCC |
KKAI (channel 50) is an independent television station licensed to Kailua, Hawaii, United States, serving the Hawaiian Islands. It is owned by Bridge Media Networks alongside KUPU (channel 15). KKAI's transmitter is located north of Kailua. Since March 2018, the station is available statewide on Oceanic Spectrum digital channel 50.
The station first hit the air in 2004. Originally intended to sign on as a UPN affiliate, it began airing family programming from Faith TV in addition to local programming. In 2012, the station became a full-time affiliate of the Retro Television Network. In 2017, the station switched to a religious format.[1]
In late 2018, KKAI added Telemundo programming on its second digital subchannel, simulcasting Kailua-Kona–based KFVE.
On October 5, 2023, it was announced that Bridge Media Networks would purchase this station along with KUPU for $3 million ($1.5 million for both stations).[2] [3] The sale was completed in early 2024.
The station's signal is multiplexed:
| Res. | Aspect | Short name | Programming | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50.1 | KKAI DT | Main KKAI programming | ||
| KKAI | Telemundo (KFVE) |
Because it was granted an original construction permit after the FCC finalized the DTV allotment plan on April 21, 1997,[4] the station did not receive a second (companion) channel for a digital television station. On January 15, 2009, KKAI flash-cut to a digital signal on the same channel.
On April 13, 2017, the FCC announced that KKAI would relocate to RF channel 29[5] by April 12, 2019[6] as a result of the broadcast incentive auction.[7]