July 2023 Newsletter

Welcome to AAJA Hawai‘i’s July newsletter! We hope you had a wonderful weekend.

This is a big newsletter because we are finally launching our 2023 media newsroom diversity survey! Our board has been working on this survey since the beginning of the year. We feel it’s important because Hawai‘i traditionally has not had a comprehensive accounting of newsroom diversity. Our goals are to 1) provide a baseline of diversity in Hawai‘i news media, and 2) to help educate news consumers and media organizations about hiring and retention trends regarding underrecognized journalists.

We include more information below and on the survey page. Please reach out anytime if you have any questions/concerns at hawaii@aaja.org.

–  Noelle Fujii-Oride, 2023 Hawai‘i chapter president

Chapter Updates

Join us for a pau hana
We’ll be hosting a pau hana on Aug. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Honolulu Beerworks. We’d love to see you there! Please RSVP here so we can get a headcount.

This pau hana is part of our efforts to fundraise for the chapter. You can make a donation through our Zeffy page here or in-person at the event.

Diversity survey
We are also very excited to announce that our Hawai‘i media newsroom diversity survey is live and available on Google Forms here. It’s made up of 16 questions related to age, race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, length of time in Hawai‘i, and more.

This survey is confidential; only the five AAJA Hawai‘i board members will have access to the raw results. Responses for age group, race/ethnicity, and length of time in Hawai‘i will be reported for each organization. The rest of the responses will be reported at a statewide level to maintain confidentiality.

Member News

Congratulations to chapter treasurer Casey Harlow on his new job as a communications specialist at Hawaiian Airlines!

Welcome to new AAJA Hawai‘i members Kevin Fujii, Rick Quan and Jennifer Kelleher! We are so excited to have you with us!

Member Bylines

Skyline: Tips for riding Honolulu’s rail line for the first time
Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Diane Lee put together a video of tips for riding Honolulu’s Skyline for the first time.

In Hawai‘i’s Housing Crunch, Tenants Are Vulnerable to Rent Hikes and Evictions. Here’s What They Need to Know.
Hawaii Business Magazine’s Noelle Fujii-Oride provides an overview of renter protections explains what their rights are, where to get help and how Hawai‘i’s laws stack up against other states.

Binance US Made a ‘Burdensome’ Deal With SEC, Former SEC Official Says
Decrypt’s Ryan Ozawa reports on the consent order, which avoids the freezing of exchange assets in return for greater transparency and oversight.

The Debrief: How to end corruption in Hawaii’s government? Key lawmakers weigh in
Hawaii News Nows’ Emily Cristobal reports on the ways lawmakers are working to restore the public’s trust in government.

HTA president and CEO John De Fries set to step down
KITV4’s Marisa Yamane reports on De Fries’ decision to step down from the state agency charged with managing tourism.

Hawai‘i Farmers Could Use Some Help Landing Grants That Would Boost Farm Operations
Honolulu Civil Beat’s Thomas Heaton reports on how nonprofit organizations such as OACA and The Kohala Center have managed to leverage tens of millions of dollars in grants for Hawai‘i’s agriculture.

Hawai‘i Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke Has Already Overspent Her Budget — On Staff Raises
Honolulu Civil Beat’s Christina Jedra reports on how Luke is asking the state finance office to find an extra $48,623 to cover salary increases she gave her staff.

This ʻukulele collector wants to preserve the iconic instruments’ sounds
Hawai‘i Public Radio’s Cassie Ordonio reports on Shawn Yacavone, the owner of Ukulele Friend in Kaimukī. Yacavone has about 50 ʻukulele over 100 years old.

This ‘Retired’ Big Island Attorney Is Still A Fierce Advocate For The Little Guy
Honolulu Civil Beat’s John Hill writes about Will Rosdil, an attorney who came out of retirement to take on the case of a man who lost his home to foreclosure.

Edith Kanaka’ole is the first Hawaiian woman to grace a U.S. quarter
NPR Freelance Contributor Heidi Chang reports on Edith Kanaka’ole, who played a key role in keeping many Hawaiian traditions alive, and has become the first Hawaiian woman ever featured on a U.S. coin.

Local Job Openings

Honolulu Star-Advertiser‘s City Desk is hing for a general assignment reporter.Recent reporting experience at a daily newspaper is essential, as is evidence of strong news writing and critical thinking, and a willingness to tackle any assignment — from breaking news to features to enterprise. Data-based reporting experience is a big plus. College degree preferred. The Star-Advertiser is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action employer, offering a generous wage and benefits package. If interested, send an email with a résumé and a few clips to Marsha McFadden, managing editor/news, at mmcfadden@staradvertiser.com.

Hawai‘i Public Radio is hiring for a news editor who will work with several reporters on their story selection and development, as well as editing their scripts. The news editor will also work with the Managing Editor and the News Director to plan and execute coverage on a regular basis, and take part in news meetings and other communications with colleagues to help develop story planning and coverage. More information here.

Honolulu Civil Beat is hiring for a general assignment reporter, education reporter,and opinion writer. Anticipated salary range for the three roles: $75,000 to $95,000. The nonprofit news room is offering a relocation benefit for hired candidates outside of Hawai‘i and a housing assistance purchase option. More information available here.

Resources

In June, Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green signed a measure that restores Hawai‘i’s shield law, which was allowed to expire in 2013. “Act 126 protects traditional, nontraditional and online journalists by limiting “compelled disclosure of sources or unpublished information for journalists, newscasters, and persons participating in the collection or dissemination of news or information of substantial public interest,” while establishing exceptions.” Read more in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser here.