The station first hit the air in 2004. Originally intended to sign on as a UPN affiliate, it began airing family programming from Faith TV in addition to local programming. In 2012, the station became a full-time affiliate of the Retro Television Network. In 2017, the station switched to a religious format.[2]
On October 5, 2023, it was announced that Bridge Media Networks would purchase this station along with KUPU for $3 million ($1.5 million for both stations).[3][4] The sale was completed in early 2024.[citation needed]
Because it was granted an original construction permit after the FCC finalized the DTV allotment plan on April 21, 1997,[6] the station did not receive a second (companion) channel for a digital television station. On January 15, 2009, KKAI flash-cut to a digital signal on the same channel.
On April 13, 2017, the FCC announced that KKAI would relocate to RF channel 29[7] by April 12, 2019[8] as a result of the broadcast incentive auction.[9]