Every Sunday, “Back in the Day” looks at an article that ran on this date in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. The items are verbatim, so don’t blame us today for yesteryear’s bad grammar.
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Oceanic Properties announced today it plans to enter the community antenna television (CATV) business on Oahu in a major way.
There are already six systems in operation serving marginal reception areas as Hawaii Kai, Aina Haina and other valley and rural areas, mainly on the Windward side.
Oceanic intends to offer CATV service to a wide area of Honolulu from Waialae-Kahala to the residential area surrounding downtown, said Warren Haight, president. Oceanic is a subsidiary of Castle & Cooke.
The Diamond Head area, Waikiki and adjacent areas were specifically pointed out by Haight. They have no service now.
Oceanic is negotiating with Hawaiian Telephone Co. to star work immediately on installing equipment throughout the proposed service area.
It expects to offer service to subscribers by late next summer — to apartment buildings and hotels as well as single family residences.
Cost will consist of an installation charge plus a month rental fee. The fees have not been determined yet.
Oceanic’s CATV service also intends to provide two close-circuit channels — one for 24-hour time-weather information and community announcements, and the other for 24-hour news and stock market information.
The cable also will bring FM stereo radio signals into the home for improved reception from Honolulu’s four FM radio stations.
CATV eliminates the need for rooftop TV antennas and produces a clear picture free of distortions or “ghosts” even in areas of poorest reception. It is of particular value for color TV sets, which require a stronger signal for picture clarity than do black-and-white sets, Haight said.
Although CATV got its start in rural and isolated areas, it has become increasingly important in cities like Honolulu because high-rise buildings have the same adverse effect on TV reception as mountains.
