To Our Readers
HOW DO YOU START a new seven-day metropolitan daily newspaper virtually from scratch in four months? We’re working to meet
our readers’ expectationsIt's like explaining how a bumble bee can fly. It can't be done, but somehow we did it.
While most readers say they really like the new Star-Bulletin, I've been on the receiving end of a lot of e-mail and telephone calls this week from folks who have complaints. Some papers arrived late. Some not at all.
I sincerely apologize for the delivery problems. Most folks have been patient, realizing that the "new" Star-Bulletin's printing and delivery operations are in their infancy.
Others are upset. "Ever since you people changed management," one wrote, "my paper has been late."
Changing management isn't the half of what we've been up to.
For example, until about a month ago, our new offset press was still in Australia!
Besides installing the new press, we've hired 425 new employees, built out and furnished new offices, installed new computer systems and created a new delivery operation -- all since last December.
Normally, when newspapers install new presses they arrange to run them in parallel with the old press for a month or two to shake down any problems. Our "test run" was the actual March 15 newspaper.
We're getting the papers off the press on time now and we've enlarged the telephone system to handle more calls.
The good news is that the new Star-Bulletin is selling more copies than before the ownership change. Subscriptions are up and sales from racks and stores have doubled.
Thanks for your patience and support. We really appreciate both and are delighted to have the opportunity to be your daily newspaper.
John Flanagan is editor and publisher of the Star-Bulletin.
To reach him call 529-4748, fax to 529-4750, send
e-mail to publisher@starbulletin.com or write to
500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-500, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.