I am worried about The Maui News. We have seen the Sunday edition dropped and merged into a Saturday Weekender Edition. We have seen popular features like Parade eliminated. And now the closing of local businesses due to the pandemic has led to an abrupt and severe reduction in advertising. On Oahu it could be the beginning of the end as the Honolulu Star-Advertiser is laying off half its news staff. We must look for ways to save our local Maui newspaper.

Obviously, if you are not a subscriber, please become one. And urge others you know to subscribe.

Contract talks are ongoing right now. Management would be well advised to collaborate with staffers who know the community better than anyone to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that saves the paper and preserves employee jobs.

We need The Maui News. It is the only source of local information, activities of organizations and nonprofits, county government activities, local sports and the vehicle for local business advertising. As we’ve often heard today: we’re all in this together. Please join me and urge management to work with staff to save The Maui News.

Richard Michaels

Makena