Jon Anderson’s contributions to the radio, television and newspaper business on Guam have made him a media icon. This month we look back at Anderson’s career, which included several years in Hawaii during the 1960s.

Anderson originally hails from Aberdeen, S.D. His first deejay job was at the age of 15. While attending colleges in South Dakota, Washington, D.C., and Hawaii, Anderson worked his way through school as a deejay. In 1964, he transferred to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, graduating with a degree in religion in 1966. Anderson’s first radio job in Hawaii was as a deejay playing classical music at KAIM radio.

In 1965, KHVH (now KITV) news director Bob Sevey hired him as a reporter. The turbulent era of the late 1960s was in full swing with anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, and Anderson was right in the middle of it. When UH professor and anti-war activist Oliver Lee was denied tenure in May 1968, students revolted, holding a strike and occupation at Bachman Hall.

"It was a big story, one I enjoyed covering," said Anderson.

There were memorable road trips for Anderson, covering the Republican Convention in Miami in 1968 and Kilauea eruptions on the Big Island. He covered presidential visits and enjoyed interviewing local politicians.

"My favorite Hawaii politicians were Sparky Matsu­naga, Frank Fasi and, of course, Dan Inouye, who always remembered my name, even years later," he said.

His colleagues at KHVH included Jim Lathrop, Ed Michelman, George Cabral Sr., Mason Altiery and Jim Manke.

"Always enjoyed working with Jon," Manke said. "He is a by-the-book reporter, a stickler for detail, very versatile, knew a lot about a lot of things, an authoritative voice and presentation."

In addition to reporting at KHVH, Anderson anchored the news at the station with Manke, Simon Cardew and Al Michaels.

Over the years some of Anderson’s memorable interviews were with Earl Nightingale, a radio host, speaker, author and one of just a dozen survivors who were aboard the USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941, when it was struck at Pearl Harbor, and Lee Kwan Yew, the first prime minister of Singapore.

The 1960s folk rock group Peter, Paul and Mary was a special highlight for Anderson. "I did a half hour a week hosting a folk music show Saturday nights on KHVH Radio. They came in to guest on the show. I was thrilled," he said.

Anderson left KHVH and moved to California, where he worked as director of communications with the United Methodist Church for two years. He would reunite with Manke in 1971 in Saipan as a public information specialist for three years. That was followed by a year with Voice of America in Washington, D.C., and two years as director of television operations for the government of American Samoa.

In 1977, Guam became Anderson’s longtime home, as he became vice president and general manager of KUAM radio and television. At the time, KUAM was owned by Lawrence (Bob) Berger, longtime head of KHVH radio and television in Honolulu.

After four years with KUAM, Anderson and two partners combined efforts to purchase a radio station in 1981 that would become K-57.

"I gradually converted K-57 programming to talk and started the first talk-radio breakfast show in 1985. I gave up my management position as general manager to become full-time talk show host, the first on Guam," he said. "My two decades as host of the ‘Breakfast Show’ capped my radio career. I’ve had a great run on Guam."

Anderson also served as editor in chief of the Marianas Variety Guam Edition until the end of 2013. Upon his retirement came accolades from the Territorial Legislature, including a special resolution for his contributions to the media in Guam. Anderson currently does weekly editorial commentaries at the Pacific News Center.

Because of Guam’s unique location in the Pacific and close proximity to Asian and Pacific countries, Anderson has enjoyed traveling to many places.

"Guam is a great jumping off place from which to visit some exotic locations — Australia, the Philippines, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, even India. I’ve been to them all. I have also been on more than 100 islands throughout Micronesia, a fascinating part of the world.

"Travel opportunities are a major reason why I stay here. Guam is also a wonderful place to live," he said.

Anderson still has ties to Hawaii, as his daughter and granddaughter reside in the islands.

A.J. McWhorter, a collector of film and videotape cataloging Hawaii’s TV history, has worked as a producer, writer and researcher for both local and national media. Email him at flashback@hawaii.rr.com.