Maui News transitions to weekly print edition

Maui News, the Valley Isle’s only newspaper, will be making a significant change starting June 6. The newspaper will now be printed just once a week, on Thursdays, as opposed to its previous schedule of six days a week. This decision comes as the publication aims to shift its focus towards digital news delivery in order to reach a younger audience.

Robert Collias, a sports reporter for Maui News since 1990, expressed concerns about the potential job losses that may result from this change. He also highlighted the issue of accessibility, noting that some Maui residents who do not have internet access may no longer have access to the news.

In a letter to readers, Maui News publisher Chris Minford explained the reasoning behind the shift, emphasizing the importance of a digital-focused publishing strategy in today’s media landscape. He described digital news as the future of local news and noted that many newspapers have made similar decisions in recent years.

The decision to transition to a weekly printed edition was announced during a Zoom meeting with representatives from the Pacific Media Workers Guild and other unions involved with Maui News. While possible layoffs were mentioned, no immediate staffing changes are planned for the news or advertising departments.

The move to a weekly printing schedule comes at a challenging time for the newspaper, as financial difficulties may have been exacerbated by the impact of the 2023 wildfires on Maui. Despite these challenges, Maui News remains committed to providing valuable information to its readers, both in print and online.