The Voice of Hawai'i: Exploring the University of Hawai'i's Student Newspapers

Student newspapers play a vital role in university life, serving as a platform for student voices, a training ground for aspiring journalists, and a record of campus events and issues. At the University of Hawai'i (UH), student newspapers have a long and rich history, reflecting the unique culture and concerns of the islands. This article delves into the world of UH student newspapers, with a particular focus on Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi at UH Mānoa and Ke Kalahea at UH Hilo, exploring their history, purpose, and impact on the university community.

Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi: A Century of Student Journalism at UH Mānoa

Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s student newspaper, marked its 100th anniversary in September. Launched on September 13, 1922, by Henry Bindt, a blind UH Mānoa student who believed the university needed a student newspaper, the publication initially went by the name The Hawaii Mirror before adopting Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi in 1923.

From Typewriters to the Digital Age: Evolution and Enduring Values

Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi has witnessed significant changes in journalism and technology over the decades. Vares-Lum, a former managing editor, recalls the transition from typewriters and paper to floppy disks and computers. Despite these technological advancements, the core values of journalism-free, balanced, and accurate reporting, and fact-checking-remain paramount. Hartwell emphasizes that Ka Leo provides invaluable on-the-job training for students, who learn to report, verify, edit, design, illustrate, comment, photograph, video, and post, often without course credit. This experience equips them with essential skills for careers in journalism and communications.

A Training Ground for Future Professionals

The skills and experience gained at Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi have proven to be foundational for many students, launching them into successful careers as journalists and communications professionals. The newspaper provides a platform for students to hone their skills, learn from their mistakes, and develop a strong understanding of the importance of ethical and responsible reporting.

Celebrating a Century of Service

Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi's centennial was celebrated with a special print issue on October 3. Amanda Dick, the editor in chief, expressed excitement about celebrating 100 years of Ka Leo being the voice of Hawaiʻi.

Ke Kalahea: Spreading UH Hilo News for Decades

Ke Kalahea has been a vital source of news and information for the UH Hilo community for decades. As the student-run news publication of UH Hilo, Ke Kalahea aims to provide coverage of news and events affecting the university and its surrounding community. The newspaper serves as a platform for diverse students to work together, highlighting news, events, and student accomplishments.

A Time Capsule of Campus Life

Past issues of Ke Kalahea, formerly known as “Vulcan News,” offer a time capsule of campus life, reflecting the issues, concerns, and events that have shaped the UH Hilo community over the years. From reports on Pell-Grant-Cuts and their impact on UH Hilo to coverage of athletic events and student life, Ke Kalahea provides a valuable historical record of the university.

Addressing Important Issues and Current Events

Ke Kalahea consistently strives to provide up-to-date information on campus news and other current events. The newspaper covers a wide range of topics, including:

University Affairs: Pell-Grant-Cuts, What Happened to the Riso Funds?, Uhh Enrollment Data Lacking Transparency Affecting Oversight
Student Life: Student Life Center access, Humans of UH Hilo, Love Is In The Air…?
Community Issues: Katsu Goto : Murder in Honoka'a, Native and Non-Natives Working Together
Topical Events: The Circus Is In Town, Editorial: The Origins of Thanksgiving Day

Engaging with the Community

Ke Kalahea actively engages with the UH Hilo community, encouraging students to share their stories and opinions. The newspaper features regular columns like "Humans of UH Hilo" and opinion pieces that address issues relevant to students.

Navigating Challenges and Misinformation

In an era of misinformation, Ke Kalahea plays a crucial role in providing accurate and reliable news to the UH Hilo community. The newspaper encourages critical thinking and media literacy, helping students to distinguish between credible sources and misinformation.

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Key Issues Covered by UH Student Newspapers

UH student newspapers cover a wide array of topics relevant to their respective campuses and communities. Some recurring themes and issues include:

University Policies and Funding

Student newspapers often report on university policies, funding decisions, and their impact on students. For example, Ke Kalahea has covered issues such as Pell-Grant-Cuts and their potential effects on UH Hilo students. Similarly, reports on Uhh Enrollment Data Lacking Transparency Affecting Oversight highlight the importance of transparency in university administration.

Student Life and Culture

Student newspapers reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of the student body. They cover events, activities, and issues related to student life, such as access to the Student Life Center, student government elections, and cultural celebrations. Columns like "Humans of UH Hilo" provide a platform for individual students to share their stories and connect with the wider community.

Social and Political Issues

UH student newspapers often engage with broader social and political issues, providing a student perspective on local, national, and global events. Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi and Ke Kalahea have both covered topics such as environmental concerns, social justice movements, and political debates.

Arts and Culture

Student newspapers also showcase the creative talents of the university community, featuring articles on art exhibitions, music performances, and literary works. They provide a platform for student artists and writers to share their work and contribute to the cultural life of the campus.

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Resources for Researching UH Student Newspapers

Several resources are available for those interested in researching UH student newspapers:

OneSearch: This general search tool can be used to find articles and information related to UH student newspapers. Including "Hawaii" or a Hawaii-specific term as a keyword can help narrow the search.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library's Hawaiian Collection: This collection provides access to a wealth of resources related to Hawaiʻi, including newspapers, indexes, and other materials.
Online Historical Newspapers: A few newspaper titles have been converted to digital format, allowing for online searching.
Content Indexes: These indexes are essential for searching newspapers that do not offer full-text searching.
Title Indexes: These indexes can help researchers find newspapers or learn more about a specific newspaper.
Bob Krauss Research Index: Citations to articles from English-language newspapers from Hawaiʻi.
Hawaiʻi Pacific Journal Index: Includes nearly 140 journals published in or about Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
Honolulu Star-Advertiser Archive: Search the full-text content of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and its predecessors.
Hawaiian Language Newspapers: Covering ca. 1834-1948, these newspapers offer a unique perspective on Hawaiian history and culture.

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