| Note: The views expressed here are my own and do not reflect the official position or endorsement of the Emergency Management Professionals of Hawai‘i (EMP-HI). Full disclosure – I sit on the Community Advisory Board for Hawai‘i Public Radio, and the message below was originally provided for CAB and Board members. However, I wanted to share it more broadly with others who are equally concerned about the proposed cuts to both HPR and PBS—two of our most independent and necessary news sources. Their importance has been evident in numerous events—for instance, COVID, the lava eruptions on the Big Island, and most recently, the Maui wildfire. To impede these institutions is to increase the possibility of public harm if and when the next disaster impacts our ‘āina. I ask that you please support Meredith and the staff at HPR in their advocacy. And if anyone has a line to any of the CODEL (Congressional Delegation), please emphasize the public good and essential service HPR provides. Mahalo, James //From Meredith Artley, CEO Hawai’i Public Radio// The Risk to Public Media Has Never Been Greater Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to claw back previously approved funding for public media. Next, it goes to the Senate. If this rescission proposal passes the Senate before their deadline of July 18, federal funding for public media will be eliminated. Many stations across the country that serve communities with trusted local news, vital emergency information, music, culture, and community connection — and provide local jobs — will be diminished or entirely decimated. At Hawaiʻi Public Radio, it would mean a loss of at least $525,000. That figure could climb higher by hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional costs to support diminished services across the network. This is money we currently use to help fund local programming and infrastructure, and further our mission to serve the people of Hawaiʻi. You are invited to join us for a town hall conversation on Wednesday, June 18 at 12:30 p.m. HST, where we will share updates, next steps and welcome thoughts and questions. |
| Now is the time to use your voice and show your support. Here are three steps you can take to protect public media: Write or call our senators and ask them to urge their fellow lawmakers to stand up for public media by voting down this rescission package. And, if you are one of the many fans and supporters of HPR not in Hawaiʻi, you can use this simple form from Protect My Public Media to get the message to elected officials in your state. Share this message with your family, friends and networks to encourage them to use their voice. If you are on social media, we’ve made it easy for you to show your support with our outreach kit. Donate to HPR. We are a community backed public service that is able to serve Hawaiʻi because of the support we receive from the people we do this essential work for. Attempts to defund public media have happened in the past. But none have gotten this far. This was a very close vote in the House — 214 to 212. As this rescission package moves to the Senate, there’s still a fighting chance to protect HPR and all public media. At HPR, we have been humbled and wowed by the outpouring of so many forms of support and encouragement: emails, calls, donations and spreading the word to family and friends. Mahalo to our supporters and fans for all of the inspiration that readies us for the continued battle ahead, and for the continued fight against misinformation and polarization. Now is the time to stand with Hawaiʻi Public Radio — and all of public media — and show your support for the essential work that informs, inspires and connects communities everywhere. |
Emergency Management Professionals of Hawaii 