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For 30 years, sportswriter Robert Collias has been taking Maui News readers out onto the fields, courts, fairways and water.
It doesn’t matter if he’s covering Tiger Woods or a Little League baseball game, Collias finds the hook that makes the story interesting and follows up with the facts, insights and quotes that complete the scene. Though you can’t tell by his well-written prose, his stories are often composed under tight deadline pressure.
Collias is a walking encyclopedia of island high school athletes and coaches. His stories have helped an untold number of young men and women move forward in life by showcasing their talents. Ever ready to share his informed opinion, he lives and breathes Maui sports.
These are just a few reasons why, this week, Collias was named Hawaii Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Rob has won many awards for his work, but this is perhaps his most prestigious.
In the story that announced the honor, Collias gave credit to sports staffers current and past. He is part of a talented, hard-working team that includes Sports Editor Stephanie Nakasone-Ramsey and Staff Writer Dakota Grossman. There are too many former writers and editors to name, but all of us at The Maui News stand on their shoulders.
Newspaper publishing has evolved mightily since the days of smoke-filled newsrooms and lead type, but a constant has been the importance of reporting local news, government and sports. When Collias or Grossman cover an event, they are often the only journalist in attendance. The same goes for reporters Lila Fujimoto and Melissa Tanji, photojournalist Matthew Thayer and Managing Editor Colleen Uechi at the meetings, trials and breaking news they cover.
Forgive us if we’re biased, but we think they’re all doing a great job for the Maui community. It takes a team to put out a newspaper. Not only the names you see in bylines and photo credits, but also folks who print and deliver the product in the dark of night, those who sell the ads and lay out pages.
Studies have shown that having a local newspaper saves communities money and improves the quality of life for residents. It means having professional journalists to hold elected officials and administrators accountable. Newshounds not only shine a light on corruption and waste, they also highlight achievement and explore ways to do things better.
There is a lot of information flying around this digital age, not all of it based on reality. Editing, fact-checking and insisting our work meets professional standards are why readers know they can count on The Maui News. Our staff and finished product may be leaner than in bygone days, but thanks to committed staffers like Robert Collias, we are proud to continue our award-winning coverage of this island and its people.