January 2024 Gleanings
When the news is the news
Our daily newspapers are getting noticed for all the wrong reasons. But still, our valiant journalists carry on. Don't forget to renew your membership! Register for our Jan. 27 Newsmaker on wildfires by Jan. 22. Encourage your favorite student to apply for a scholarship. And, mark your calendars for our May 9 Scholarship Dinner. Have news to share? Email Gleanings editor Nancy Cook Lauer at nclauer@gmail.com.
MEETING NOTICE: BIPC Board meeting via ZOOM at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. Email President Michael Phillips at mphillips@weatherboy.com for a link.
Bankruptcy sale on the horizon
Big news on the newspaper front this month, as Black Press, owner of all the state's daily newspapers except one, is working through a bankruptcy restructuring that includes a proposed sale to a Mississippi publisher.
This isn't the first time the Big Island's two daily newspapers, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald and West Hawaii Today, have undergone a change in ownership. Most recently, Black subsidiary Oahu Publications Inc., purchased the two papers from Stephens Media in 2014. At that time, BIPC partnered with the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce to host the new owners at a luncheon, where a shoulder-to-shoulder audience was assured the newspapers would only improve, with increased resources and more staff. That didn't happen.
Instead, the newspapers were severely downsized and the buildings were sold. The Trib now gallantly produces its "daily miracle" with just two staff writers and one photo journalist, while West Hawaii Today has a single photojournalist working hard to also be the sole staff writer. The newspapers have taken to including day-old Star-Advertiser copy to fill the pukas.
Here are links to stories that broke Jan. 15 about the latest problems:
Owner of Star-Advertiser, other island newspapers, undergoing court-supervised restructuring, sale of company in the works. The owner of the Star-Advertiser, MidWeek, The Garden Island, Hawaii Tribune-Herald and West Hawaii Today and various specialty magazines has entered a court-supervised restructuring to reduce debt and to position the company for a possible sale to a partnership. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. KHON2. Daily Yonder.
Civil Beat published a more indepth, second-day article about it: Mississippi Publisher Looks To Buy Struggling Star-Advertiser And Other Hawaii Papers. Media mogul David Black, who merged Honolulu's two daily newspapers, has filed for bankruptcy protection in Canada. Civil Beat.
-- Nancy Cook Lauer
But wait, there's more!
Meanwhile, an online publication called "The Daily Yonder," which specializes in rural reporting, did a fine analysis of what's happening specifically on the Big Island. The news team spent more than a week on the island, interviewing a host of sources, including local reporters as well as BIPC members Tiffany Edwards Hunt and yours truly. Read the comprehensive report by The Daily Yonder.
-- Nancy Cook Lauer
Torch of Light and Lava Tube nominations sought
Want to help us recognize someone who worked especially hard in 2023 to illuminate First Amendment protections? How about someone who kept the public in the dark? Now's your chance.
For more than a quarter century, BIPC has annually awarded the Torch of Light to an individual or entity for illuminating the public’s right to know, while the Lava Tube dishonor is given for a lack of communication and keeping the public in the dark.
The awards are announced yearly on March 16, Freedom of Information Day, the birthday of James Madison, who was widely regarded as the father of the U.S. Constitution and the leading advocate of openness in government among our founding fathers.
All nominations sent to nclauer@gmail.com will remain anonymous as to the sender. Deadline is Feb. 9 in order to allow the board to vote at its Feb. 10 meeting.
Time's running out to register for Jan. 27 Newsmaker Luncheon
BIPC has assembled an exciting panel featuring the National Weather Service, DLNR, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, and more to do a deep dive on what is expected to be a very severe islandwide drought in 2024. To be held at the Banquet Room at the Waikoloa Village Association Clubhouse Complex. Catered by Johnny's Restaurant.. Tickets are available through Jan. 22 on the BIPC website. $29 for BIPC members, $34 for nonmembers includes a delicious buffet featuring: A Crudite Spread: assorted market vegetables, hummus, tzatziki, smoked local fish dip with crackers, crostinis, grilled Naan bread. A Slider Station: chicken salad sliders with sprouts, mini egg salad sandwiches, meatball sliders with tomato jam, potato salad and house-made chips. Assorted cookies and brownies.
Seeking scholarship applications
BIPC annually awards thousands in scholarships to students pursuing higher education in journalism and related careers. The application deadline is March 15. To qualify, applicants must: have Big Island residential ties, demonstrate an interest in journalism or related career, be enrolled as a full-time student and show a record of academic achievement. Visit the scholarship website here info and to apply. for more
Time to pay your 2024 dues!
Dues can be paid by credit card on the website or by check to Big Island Press Club, P.O. Box 1920, Hilo HI 96721
The online system is streamlined to have annual dues automatically charge to the card on file after a person received their automated annual renewal reminder via email at the end of the year.
Any member can go in after the payment is processed and select cancel the auto renewal, which would terminate the membership for that year. Memberships aren't refundable, so that membership would remain valid through December. Then that member could re-renew on their own the following year.
The 2024 Big Island Press Club Board
Please feel free to contact any board member with news tips or if you'd like to volunteer!
President: Michael Phillips, journalist, meteorologist, Weather Channel <mphillips@weatherboy.com>
Vice President: Tiffany Edwards Hunt, former journalist, middle school teacher <newswoman@mac.com>
Treasurer: Bob Duerr, filmmaker and journalist, Hawaii Fishing News <surf77@me.com>
Secretary: Nancy Cook Lauer, retired journalist, blogger www.allhawaiinews.com <nclauer@gmail.com>
Director: Ross Wilson, PR, Current Events <rossw@current-events.com>
Director: Royelen Lee Boykie, retired digital strategist and fundraiser <Royelen@bigislandpressclub.org>
Director: Patsy Iwasaki, professor, University of Hawaii-Hilo <piwasaki@hawaii.edu>
Director: Jim Wilson, retired publisher, Hawaii Tribune-Herald <wilson1012@twc.com>
Immediate Past President: John Burnett, journalist, Tribune-Herald <jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com>
