Getting ready for the
end of newspaper
SNAP out of it, Diane Chang! Enough moping around and feeling sorry for thyself. Get to work and share some of these comments and concerns from readers, who have been calling and sending dozens of e-mail messages since last Thursday's big announcement.
Observation from Ray: "Oct. 30 will be a very sad day in Hawaii. I will miss a great newspaper and also a great website. It's a shame to see Honolulu turn into another one-paper town. I am an avid Internet user and get much news from it. However, nothing can replace the pleasure of coming home from work and picking up the Star-Bulletin from my doorstep."
Ditto from Patrick: "Less media means less of a forum for investigation of community issues and less chance to hear the voice of the public. A healthy democracy requires informed, literate citizens. And speaking of literacy, I believe the correct wording, Governor Cayetano, (regarding the folding of the Star-Bulletin) is, "I couldn't care less."
Alan of Fremont, Calif, sounds the alarm: "Attention, Hawaii's leaders and politicians -- this is a wake-up call! You are losing a valuable asset in Hawaii with the closing of the Star-Bulletin. Get off your fat okoles and get to work!"
Nice thought from C.D.: "I expected you to get the Pulitzer Prize for reporting on the Bishop Estate but instead you get closed down. Too bad. Maybe you will still win it posthumously. I'm sorry to see the demise of real journalism in Hawaii."
Question from Terri from Sacramento, Calif: "If you cease publication on Oct. 30, how will I find out who was picked for the rest of the "100 Who Made A Difference" series?" (Answer: Instead of running one profile a day until the end of the year, we will attempt to finish the series before our exit.)
Comment from Bev on my Friday column critical of the Miss America pageant and the whole concept of beauty competitions: "You have been a splendid affliction to the comfortable. Please never stop. Knockers up, girl."
Phone message from anonymous male on same column: "Why don't you do us all a big favor and take a six-week vacation -- starting now."
A note from Marlene, on how her lifestyle will change: "Count me as one subscriber who will miss the Star-Bulletin. Settling down to read it after dinner has been a part of this professional woman's daily routine for a long time. Who has time to read the paper in the morning? I never do!"
Leonora feels nostalgic: "I am sad, both personally and professionally, to hear the Star-Bulletin is closing. It is a piece of every local person's history. From the time we were in elementary school, we had to read the paper, cut out articles and bring them to class to discuss."
Job advice from Jean of Tulsa, Okla.: "Maybe you could write a book on women in Hawaii. While that may have been done already, I am sure you could do it better. Or you could always teach journalism or women's studies at one of the colleges. Your commitment to pointing out what is right and wrong will get you through this."
And finally, a frantic phone message from Leila: "This is terrible! Shall we organize a protest rally? Call someone to complain? What can we do!" (Answer: For the next 41 days, please continue reading the Star-Bulletin. Pore over our news stories, features and commentary, and enjoy our photos and original graphics -- while you still can. See what you'll be missing come Nov. 1.)
Diane Yukihiro Chang's column runs Monday and Friday.
She can be reached by phone at 525-8607, via e-mail at
dchang@starbulletin.com, or by fax at 523-7863.
