WAILUKU, Hawaii — Maui News, the Valley Isle’s only newspaper, will start printing the newspaper just on Thursdays, starting June 6. 

Since 2019, Maui News’ onsite printing press has printed the paper six days a week — with no paper on Sundays. For three decades before that, the Maui News was a daily newspaper. 

Now, the publication will put a greater focus on its website. 

“We will transition The Maui News to an operation that is focused on providing information to you with an as-it-happens, digital-focused publishing strategy, along with a weekly printed edition,” wrote Maui News publisher Chris Minford in a letter to readers about the change.

He described digital news as “the future of local news.”

“It is also a well-known fact that many newspapers have made similar decisions in recent years, and that is the direction that most of the industry is heading,” Minford said.

Four years ago, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser started printing the newspaper six days a week, axing the Saturday print edition. In March, Oahu’s only newspaper was sold to new owners.

In 2000, Ogden Newspapers, a West Virginia-based publisher, bought Maui News. Last year, the publisher announced they were looking to sell the newspaper. 

“We’re worried about the possible loss of jobs,” said Robert Collias, who has been a sports reporter for Maui News since 1990, about the change. 

Collias is also concerned the news will no longer reach Maui residents who don’t have access to the internet. He also said a lot of readers expressed to him they simply like reading the newspaper and don’t want to read it online. 

Minford could not be reached for comment for about the new strategy and layoff concerns. 

Collias, who is the representative for Pacific Media Workers Guild, the union that represents the newsroom, said Ogden’s regional publisher Michael Christman and Minford held a Zoom meeting on Wednesday with representatives from the three unions, including Honolulu Typographical Union and Teamsters Local 996, which are involved with Maui News. During the meeting, the decision to print the paper one day a week was announced.

“They said that there are possible layoffs,” Collias said. But he was told that there are no immediate staffing changes planned for the news or advertising departments.  

He said the seven employees who print the newspaper are particularly concerned that they might lose their jobs. 

When the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires devastated Maui, the reporters at Maui News extensively covered the news, but those fires likely impacted Maui News’ financial situation. Collias said the newspaper lost advertisers after Lahaina businesses burned down. He also said some people stopped paying for their subscriptions after they lost their jobs or moved away from Maui. 

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Global sports entertainment chain Topgolf will no longer be coming to Hawaii, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi confirmed in his latest town hall on Thursday.

It was supposed to be ready this year but he says company executives backed out of plans for the $50 million development project after the pandemic.

The city was set to move ahead with the project, paid for by the Texas-based company.

Topgolf would’ve then paid the city $1 million in annual rent for 20 years.

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KOHALA COAST — More than 50 cycling enthusiasts from around the island and Oahu converged Saturday at Spencer Beach Park for an unforgettable experience on two wheels — Big Island’s Century Ride.

Century Rides are one of the more popular non-competitive cycling events in the United States with the featured distance always a minimum of 100 miles and shorter routes often included to accommodate varying fitness levels.

Hosted by the Hawaii Cycling Club and Bike Work Beach &Sports, Saturday’s Big Island Century Ride not only showcased the island’s stunning natural beauty along the Kohala Coast, but also offered participants a chance to test themselves among several distances: from the challenging Century (100 miles), to the more manageable Metric (62 miles), a shorter Kapaau route (43 miles), and for a few, a “Just for Fun Distance.”

“It was amazing to see cyclists of all fitness and experience levels on the 100-mile ride taking on this quite challenging task, with several long climbs, and despite the rain and wind,” Hawaii Cycling Club’s president Franz Weber said.

With the start and finish at Spencer Beach Park, participants experienced dramatic climate changes and lush landscapes as they pedaled north toward Hawi, then to Pololu Valley, over Kohala Mountain Road and then through Waimea.

From the relentless winds of the lava fields to the cool, rainy, verdant expanses of Kohala’s pastoral lands, to the breathtaking panoramic views of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Hualalai Mountains — along with the punishing gradients of Kohala Mountain road, the Big Island Century Ride offered a challenge unlike any other.

At the end of the day, it wasn’t about the time on the clock or overall placing, but the sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.

As in previous years, the event served as a fundraiser for the Hospice of Kona with more than $1,700 raised for the nonprofit.

“It’s rewarding to have such a challenging and fun event while raising money for a great cause,” Weber said. “Everybody appreciated the support along the course, as well as the outstanding food at Spencer Beach Park provided by Patricio’s. It’s a great event for a great cause.”

Coming up for the Hawaii Cycling Club is the annual Ride of Silence slated for Saturday, May 18.

Start time for the free event is 9 a.m. at the Kona Community Aquatic Center. For more information, visit www.hawaiicyclingclub.com.