By Alfred Acenas
EBC Hawaii Bureau

HONOLULU (Eagle News) – Kristen Consillio, a reporter from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser newspaper, announced on Friday, June 12, in her Twitter and Instagram accounts, “In heartbreaking news for the local community, Hawaii’s largest daily newspaper — which has recorded history in the making for generations of kamaʻāina — will cut 29 newsroom staff at the end of June.”

“That means fewer journalists keeping the ʻpowers that beʻ in check, less questioning of authority, fewer answers to your burning questions and even more substandard information disseminated to the public,” Consillio continued. “Meaningful journalism that educates, enlightens, and inspires to affect positive change in our society has been my passion for nearly 20 years as a Hawaii news reporter. It has been a privilege and blessing to serve the community I love.”

This latest reorganization effort comes after Hawaii’s largest newspaper discontinued its Saturday print edition on May 2 in favor its digital platform. The Star-Advertiser continues to print as well as publish online from Sunday to Friday.

“This trend is balanced by continued readership for the traditional print format also featuring detailed stories, news and multiple viewpoints in the community,” said Dennis Francis, president and publisher of the Star-Advertiser, in a statement last May. “But our mission has not changed — we will continue to deliver essential in-depth statewide news and information 24/7 throughout this crisis and beyond.”

“Every business is making necessary adjustments both short- and long-term during this COVID-19 crisis, and newspapers are no different,” stressed Francis.

(Eagle News Service)