Hawai‘i’s News Desert: A Threat to Democracy and Civic Engagement

News Release from HIPA, Nov 6, 2025

Honolulu, Hawai‘i – November 6, 2025. Hawai‘i faces the threat of a “news desert” because of the decline in the number of news organizations and the lack of robust news operations in the state, according to new groundbreaking public policy report published by the Hawai‘i Institute for Public Affairs (HIPA).

The report, titled Hawai‘i’s News Desert: Overcoming a Threat to Democracy and Civic Engagement, provides an in-depth analysis of the steady decline in Hawai‘i’s local news industry over the past two decades and the adverse impact on democracy and civic engagement in the state. This initial report, authored by investigative journalist Sophie Cocke, is the first of a multi-phase project funded by HIPA.

“The media has always been considered a pillar of democracy and is essential to providing the public with accurate information to make informed decisions, serving as a watchdog to uncover wrongdoing, and encouraging debate and discussion on local, national and global issues,” said Barbara Tanabe, HIPA’s president who began her 18-year career as a television journalist in 1971. “Today’s financial pressures and shifts in technology, consumer trends and the workforce have resulted in the closure of many key news media organizations in our state.”

Over the past two decades, Hawai‘i has witnessed a dramatic reduction in the quantity and quality of local news coverage. Once thriving newspapers, television stations, and ethnic publications have either shuttered or drastically reduced their operations, leaving communities across the islands in what researchers term “news deserts.” Key findings from the report include:

● Decline in Local Newspapers: The number of Hawai‘i newspapers in circulation was as high as 52 in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but this number dropped to just 13 in 2024. Major daily newspapers, such as the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, have seen significant declines in newsroom staff. The average paid circulation of the major newspapers statewide shrank by 41 percent from 2000 to 2024. Neighbor island newspapers have become “ghost papers,” unable to adequately cover their communities.

● Impact on Civic Engagement: Hawai‘i’s voter turnout has plummeted from 73% in 1960 to 32% in 2024, mirroring the collapse of local journalism that traditionally informed citizens about policies, candidates, and elections.

● Shift to Digital News: While digital platforms like Honolulu Civil Beat and Pacific Media Group’s Kaua‘i Now, Maui Now and Big Island Now have emerged as bright spots, their growth has not compensated for the overall loss of reporters and investigative journalism.

● Television and Radio News: Consolidation and layoffs have reduced the quality and quantity of local television news, while Hawai‘i Public Radio has expanded its staff in recent years.

The report emphasizes the critical role of local journalism in fostering informed communities, holding public oSicials accountable, and promoting civic engagement. It also highlights the rise of misinformation and political apathy as local news coverage diminishes.

“The internet, social media and online publications have impacted how citizens get their news. Smart phones, computers and tablets have out-paced television, radio and print publications,” said Perry Arrasmith, president-elect of HIPA. “With blogs, social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, X, Instagram and others, it is difficult to decipher what is news, let alone what is accurate news, conjecture or opinion.”

HIPA’s report is the first phase of its Hawai‘i’s News Desert project, which aims to provide stakeholders with research, data, and forums for discussion to address the state’s news crisis. Future phases will explore issues such as incorporating civic education in schools, partnering with national networks of news organizations, and business models that focus on local ownership. The report also includes a comprehensive appendix of resources for revitalizing local journalism, featuring initiatives from organizations such as the Knight Foundation, Report for America, and the American Journalism Project.

---30---

The full report is available for download at: Hawaii's News Desert.pdf - Google Drive

About HIPA: The Hawai‘i Institute for Public Affairs is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to providing research and analysis on public policy issues facing Hawai‘i. Established in 2000, HIPA’s mission is to empower decision-makers with data-driven insights to benefit the state’s communities.