The Maui News buildings in Wailuku are shown from the air. Ogden Newspapers, which owns The Maui News, has announced it is exploring options for new ownership of the newspaper. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
The Ogden Newspapers has announced that it is exploring options for the possible sale of its Maui Publishing Group and is planning to accept offers from interested parties over the next few weeks.
“Our ultimate goal is the long-term health of The Maui News and to find the best model to allow us to continue to serve readers, visitors, and local businesses as the key source of local news and information,” Chris Minford, the publisher of The Maui News Group, said in a news release Tuesday.
“We have invested considerable resources and effort into improving operations, and it is possible that the best long-term solution will be an innovative one,” added Minford. “The dynamics of local news ownership is changing in some parts of the country and Maui is no exception.”
Contract negotiations between The Maui News and the Pacific Media Workers Guild, which represents Maui Publishing Group union members, have been ongoing for several years. Recently, signs began appearing in the windows of local businesses calling for Ogden to “sell locally.”
A Pacific Media Workers Guild sign in the window of a Maui business calls for the owners of The Maui News to “invest or sell locally.” Ogden Newspapers, which owns The Maui News, said it is exploring options for new ownership of the newspaper. MAUI PUBLISHING photo
“We are proud of the work that has been done in Maui. Since 2000, the newspaper has successfully transitioned into a modern, multimedia news outlet and is a credit to the local staff,” said Cameron Williams, a fifth-generation owner and chief revenue officer of Ogden Newspapers. “However, if the time has come for the next chapter, we are willing to consider options to make that happen.”
Representatives from the Pacific Media Workers Guild also voiced their support for finding an alternative path forward.
“The unionized workers of The Maui News are tireless in their commitment to local journalism,” said Katie Gillespie, a staff representative for the guild. “This newspaper and Maui County deserve local owners who share that dedication to this community.”
Ogden’s announcement presents a special opportunity for a buyer with an appreciation for Maui and the long history of The Maui News, the company said in a news release. Founded in 1900, The Maui News is the primary source of local news on the island, reaching readers in print and on mauinews.com, which gets more than 1 million page views a month, according to the company.
The Maui News serves all of Maui County, covering the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. The company was owned by Maui businessman Henry Perrine Baldwin from 1905 until Baldwin’s descendants sold it to Ogden Newspapers in February 2000.
The Ogden Newspapers is a fifth-generation, family-owned media company that publishes award-winning newspapers, websites and magazines serving 65 communities in 16 states, according to the company.
All inquiries should be made directly to Sara April at Dirks, Van Essen & April at (505) 820-2700 or sara@dirksvanessen.com.
A Pacific Media Workers Guild sign in the window of a Maui business calls for the owners of The Maui News to “invest or sell locally.” Ogden Newspapers, which owns The Maui News, said it is exploring options for new ownership of the newspaper. MAUI PUBLISHING photo 
The Maui News buildings in Wailuku are shown from the air. Ogden Newspapers, which owns The Maui News, has announced it is exploring options for new ownership of the newspaper. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photoToday's breaking news and more in your inbox
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