Friday, October 8, 1999

Star-Bulletin closing Oct. 30, 1999

More Letters to the Editor

Another brain drain is about to commence

Stunned by the news of the imminent demise of your paper, my heart goes out to the entire Star-Bulletin ohana. They will be losing much more than individual livelihoods but camaraderie and friendships forged over the years.

One hundred and forty people now face economic uncertainty. One would hope that Governor Cayetano will rethink his statement, "I couldn't care less if there is one or two papers."

This is an immeasurable economic and intellectual loss to the community. Another brain exodus. The thought of having to rely on one editorial voice is frightening.

Rike Weiss
Via the Internet

Subscribe to Star-Bulletin now to show support

Who will publish the next "Broken Trust" essay?

Co-author Randy Roth said he first brought the commentary to the Advertiser, only to hear a litany of excuses for why it could not print it. And it never did!

My personal statement was to dial 538-6397 (it's the same circulation number for both papers), to cancel the Advertiser, get a full credit, start delivery of the Star-Bulletin, and demonstrate support for the fight to save the best of the two.

Come on, folks, put your money where your mouth is and show you care. Please! Just being a jaw-whopper isn't enough.

Bud Ebel
Makaha
Via the Internet

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
The Star-Bulletin name was to be removed from about 100
news boxes in preparation for repainting with the Advertiser
ogo. Advertiser publisher Mike Fisch this week said the
painting was premature and would be stopped. The
Star-Bulletin is scheduled to close Oct. 30.

So many good things are biting the dust

I am in a panic and a funk. First, the governor decides that giving $60 million of taxpayer money to the visitor industry is more important than slashing $40 million plus from the University of Hawaii. Then, public education is undermined.

Then, University of Hawaii President Mortimer decides the UH School of Public Health is not important or affordable enough for the people of Hawaii and the Pacific Basin, so he axes the school despite the recommendation of his own task force.

Now, the Star-Bulletin is scheduled to close, without so much as a going-out-of-business sale.

In these harsh times especially, it is so important for Hawaii to have more than one perspective shaping our view, our reactions and giving a rendition of our lives.

The newspaper has become a real source of local perspective and local flavor, with writers like Susan Kreifels, Pat Omandam, Helen Altonn and many others who are dedicated, passionate and fair-minded. I'm going to cry.

There is something incredibly wrong with a system that doesn't understand the value of insightful news to its community is worth far more than a 12 percent profit margin.

C. Mamo Kim
Via the Internet

Web site provides a connection to home

I cannot believe that all of these closures and layoffs are happening in Hawaii. This is why so many of the state's young people are moving to the mainland. I moved to California 15 years ago and had been contemplating coming back home. But now, with all of this news, how can I? I know many others who feel the same way.

Your Web site was my one connection to home, at all hours of the day and night.

Lori Tanouye
Los Angeles
Via the Internet