The $20,000 purchase of Hawaii island’s KAHU-FM 91.7 by Hawaii Public Radio is now complete and the station will likely be back on the air within a month, restoring radio service to the southern half of the Big Island.

Meanwhile, HPR also will launch its HPR-2 program stream via KIPL-FM 89.9 in Lihue Friday morning, according to HPR President Michael Titterton.

The purchase of KAHU from nonprofit Ka‘u Community Radio Inc., will restore the station to the airwaves. It has been silent since April 17 when its electricity was shut off, denying area residents access to emergency broadcasts as well as other programming relevant to the community.

The sale of some KAHU broadcast equipment will enable the station to pay off some of its bills, said President Christine Kaehuaea, who was brought into the operation by her station-founding father, Wendell.

Meanwhile, with HPR programming soon to launch on the station at opposite ends of the state, both HPR program streams will achieve statewide reach.