HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 181 Draft 01 1998-2000 COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. 181 99
A RESOLUTION URGING LIBERTY NEWSPAPERS TO CONTINUE PUBLICATION OF
THE HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN AND TO ACTIVELY SEEK A BUYER TO PRESERVE
TWO INDEPENDENT DAILY NEWSPAPERS IN THE COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, on September 16, 1999 Liberty Newspapers Limited Partnership ("Liberty
Newspapers"), owner of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin ("Star-Bulletin"), announced that it would shut
down the paper on October 30, 1999; and
WHEREAS, the Star-Bulletin has been a distinguished independent daily newspaper and
editorial voice in Hawaii for 117 years; and
WHEREAS, [he Star-Bulletin has ably chronicled Hawai`i's history and sea change events
including the long struggle for statehood, emergence of trade unions, racial equality for Japanese-
Americans, the Hawaiian sovereignty movement, diversification of Hawai`i's economy, and the
courageous recent publication of the "Broken Trust" essay disclosing mismanagement of Bishop Estate;
and
WHEREAS, closure of the Star-Bulletin would eliminate competitive news gathering and
editorial distinction between the Star-Bulletin and the Honolulu Advertiser, rendering Hawai`i's capitol
city a "one newspaper town" to the detriment of civic discourse and an informed citizenry throughout
the State of Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, Star-Bulletin reporters, columnists, cartoonists and editorial writers have won
numerous awards for incisive reporting, thought-provoking commentary and delightful satire; and
WHEREAS, closure of the Star-Bulletin will result in loss of jobs for 97 talented newspaper
staffers and approximately 50 employees of the Hawaii Newspaper Agency; and
WHEREAS, in observance of the Newspaper Preservation Act, 15 U.S. Code
1801-1804, Liberty Newspapers has published the Star-Bulletin since 1993 under a joint operating
agreement not to expire until the year 2012; and
WHEREAS, the intent of the Newspaper Preservation Act is "to preserve the publication of
newspapers. "
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF
HAWAII that Liberty Newspapers is urged to continue publication of the Star-Bulletin, cease its efforts
to terminate the current joint operating agreement with the Honolulu Advertiser, and actively seek a
buyer for the Star-Bulletin in order to preserve publication of separate and independent daily
newspapers in the community; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Clerk is directed to transmit copies of this Resolution to
Liberty Newspapers Limited, owner of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin; Gannett Pacific Corporation, owner
of the Honolulu Advertiser; and the Honorable Earl I. Anzai, Attorney General, State of Hawaii.
Dated at Hilo, Hawaii this 5th day of January, 2000
INTRODUCED BY:
CCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawaii
Hllo, Hawaii AYES NOES ASB EX
ARAKAKI
1 hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the CHUNG X
vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of
the County of Hawaii on January 5th, 2000 ELARIONOEE g
JACOBSON X
ATTEST: LErrt1EAD-TODD X
PISICCHIO X
SMITE I
\ TYLER X
- YAGONG
7 0 2 0
Reference: C-560/HS&EDC - 4
COUNTY K CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 181