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Hawaii and Nevada
public radio join efforts
to raise funds online

HAWAII Public Radio's next fund-raiser will not interrupt programming. The two HPR stations, KHPR-FM 88.1 and KIPO-FM 89.3, are teaming with Nevada Public Radio's two stations, KNPR-FM 88.9 and KCNV-FM 89.7, for an online auction at the end of the month.

Potential bidders will be able to preview items and register to bid from Jan. 26 to 30 at www.hawaiipublicradio.org. The auction will run from Jan. 31 through Feb. 4.

Valerie Yee, vice president and assistant general manager of HPR, has been spearheading the local effort to round up merchandise and services for auction. Items range from autographed CDs by local Grammy-nominated artists to a four-night trip to two Sheraton resorts in Tahiti.

A Nevada Public Radio online auction last year had items including breakfast with the Las Vegas mayor.

The auction raised $48,000.

Bidders this time needn't be just from Hawaii or Las Vegas, since the World Wide Web is, well, worldwide.

The auction may expand someday to include other public radio markets that would fit in, said Melanie Cannon, Nevada Public Radio development manager. "For instance, San Francisco, or other big feeder markets for Las Vegas and Hawaii," she said.

The auction's online pages will bear links to donors' Web sites, providing them with additional exposure. "There's a great deal of cyber-depth," said Judy Neale, HPR director of promotions.

The Hawaii-Nevada effort came about after Neale met Cannon while Neale toured the Nevada stations on vacation last year. The two started talking shop and discussed the Hawaii-Las Vegas affinity, which comes with an extra twist.

Boyd Gaming Corp. is credited with the marketing that has made Las Vegas Hawaii's so-called ninth island. The Boyd family once donated space in its Sam's Town parking lot for Nevada Public Radio when it started out 25 years ago, pending construction of permanent facilities.