For the paper and the union: WE provide the strength

The Maui News’ strength “has always been the people,” who do vital work informing the community and keeping the more than century-old institution afloat, a former worker said amidst the latest wave of support for current employees.

“The most important resource at the paper has always been the people, and I continue to be amazed by their hard work and dedication, despite the adversity they've faced with ownership,” said Chris Sugidono, a former staff writer, sports reporter and photographer at The Maui News.

“I personally want every person at the paper to know that what they do matters and has a tremendous impact on our community,” Sugidono said in urging union members to fight for a fair contract while knowing how important they are to Maui County.

Even U.S. Senator Brian Schatz knows the importance of local news. Hawaii’s senior delegate to the Senate led introduction of a resolution designating April 2023 as “Preserving and Protecting Local News Month.”

The resolution recognizes local news as a public good that serves an essential function in the democracy of the United States, a news release said.

“People across the country rely on local news to stay informed, fight disinformation, and strengthen their communities,” Schatz said. “As the industry continues to face newsroom closures and budget cuts, it’s critical that we support and recognize the irreplaceable public service local news provides.”

Former Maui News advertising representative Annette Van Scoy and her husband, Rich Van Scoy, who worked in special sections and in editorial, knows advertising workers are every bit as important.

”Advertising staff are essential to The Maui News,” the couple said. They bring in revenue to keep the operation running and develop important relationships with both large and small businesses in the community.”

Longtime managing editor Lee Imada also weighed in on the current situation, noting he had dinner with a former Maui News colleague “who remembered the days when we were excited to come to work and report the important news of Maui County.”

Imada called the newsroom “an electric and exciting place and an integral part of the community.”

“Colin Cameron and Nora Cooper and Earl Tanaka and Mae McCarter and David Hoff — they were leaders who fostered this excitement and growth with an openness to new ideas and innovation,” Imada said.

“Times have changed. We could go into all reasons why the paper is where it is — some out of the control of management. But what management could do is foster teamwork, transparency, openness to employee ideas and engagement and … not fight the union, disrespect and threaten workers,” he said.

“The most important thing management should be doing — and should have been doing — is offer hope. Without hope, is there really a future?”

Imada served as a mentor for Sugidono, who said The Maui News was his "first real job out of college."

“It was exciting visiting places and meeting people I didn't even know existed on Maui, and it was a privilege to share their stories with our community,” Sugidono said.

“However, the greatest joy I truly had was working alongside the people at the newspaper. We were, and still are, truly a family.”