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Wo family buys
stake in Bulletin
It becomes the latest local investor
in the daily and in MidWeek
The Wo family, owners of Hawaii's largest furniture retailer, C.S. Wo & Sons, is acquiring a minority stake in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and MidWeek, expanding the ranks of local investors in the papers.
The family furniture business is headed by Robert Wo Sr., along with sons Robert Jr., Wendell, Michael, Bennett and Scott. It operates a variety of marketing concepts under the C.S. Wo umbrella.
"We are impressed with David Black's success and track record and feel confident about the local management team and leadership he has put in place," said Michael Wo, speaking on behalf of the family.
"They put out a quality product and are very responsive to the needs of the marketplace and the community," he said.
Dennis Francis, president of Oahu Publications Inc., which publishes the Star-Bulletin, MidWeek and military papers, welcomed the newest investor.
"We are very pleased with the decision by the Wo family to acquire a minority stake in our company," he said. "Mike Wo is a highly respected local business leader, and we welcome him to our outstanding board of top local community leaders. Mike's belief in our products is gratifying."
David Black, owner of Oahu Publications, said, "Honolulu is fortunate to have strong families who rally to support important community building blocks like the Star-Bulletin."
"On behalf of the staff of 450 at the Star-Bulletin, MidWeek, our military weeklies and press center, and on behalf of those we serve, I salute these business leaders. We are proud to have the Wo family join us."
The Wo family will join several other local families that have invested in Oahu Publications: the Daniel Case family, Lawrence and Claire Johnson, Duane Kurisu, the Warren Luke family, Jeff and Lynn Watanabe, and Island Holdings Inc., represented by Colbert Matsumoto and Franklin Tokioka.
Michael Wo will become a director of Oahu Publications, joining Black, Case, Francis, Larry Johnson, Kurisu, Luke, Matsumoto and Jeff Watanabe on the board.
As with the earlier transactions, terms of the latest investment were not disclosed.
