Kau Community Radio, KAHU 91.7 FM, will soon have an expanded broadcast area thanks to a $76,400 state grant, the station announced today.

The money will be used to move the station’s transmitter and antenna 1,000 feet higher on a mountain in Naalehu.

Officials say the upgrade is expected to “ensure that the station is heard clearly from areas of Milolii to Mountain View,” general manager Wendell Kaehuaea said in a news release.

Now available to about 7,000 people, the new antenna position will allow about 21,000 people to receive the station’s signal, the station said.

Also Wednesday, Hawaii County Civil Defense announced it will install a dedicated line to the radio station so it will more quickly get public safety advisories.