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Media and Entertainment
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Media and Entertainment
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Hawaii Public Media Faces Crisis: Federal Funding Ends

Hawaii Public Media Brace for Major Budget Cuts as Federal CPB Funding Dries Up

HONOLULU — Hawaii's public media landscape is on the brink of a seismic shift, with stations across the islands facing severe budget shortfalls following the abrupt termination of funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). This federal lifeline, which has sustained non-commercial broadcasters for decades, is set to end by the close of fiscal year 2025, leaving organizations like Hawaii Public Radio (HPR) and PBS Hawaii scrambling to adapt. The cuts, stemming from congressional budget reallocations amid broader fiscal austerity measures, could force layoffs, reduced programming, and a potential erosion of local journalism and educational content that island residents have come to rely on.

The CPB, established in 1967 under the Public Broadcasting Act, has long been a cornerstone for public media outlets nationwide, distributing grants to support operations, programming, and community outreach. In Hawaii, these funds have been particularly vital due to the state's unique geographic challenges and diverse cultural fabric. For instance, HPR, which operates stations on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island, receives approximately 15% of its annual budget from CPB grants—amounting to over $1 million in recent years. PBS Hawaii, the state's public television affiliate, draws even more heavily on this support, with CPB funds covering nearly 20% of its operational costs, including the production of local shows like "Insights on PBS Hawaii" and educational series tailored to Native Hawaiian history and environmental issues.

The decision to phase out CPB funding comes as part of a larger federal budget overhaul, driven by partisan debates in Washington over government spending. Critics of the cuts argue that they disproportionately affect rural and underserved areas like Hawaii, where commercial media options are limited, and public broadcasters serve as essential conduits for emergency alerts, cultural preservation, and unbiased news. "This isn't just about dollars and cents; it's about the soul of our community," said Jose Fajardo, president and CEO of PBS Hawaii, in an exclusive interview. Fajardo highlighted how CPB support has enabled the station to produce award-winning documentaries on topics ranging from the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy to the ongoing impacts of climate change on Pacific islands. Without this funding, he warns, such content could vanish, leaving a void in public discourse.

HPR's leadership echoes these concerns. General Manager Michael Titterton explained that the station's reliance on CPB grants has allowed it to maintain a robust newsroom, producing daily reports on local politics, environmental conservation, and cultural events. "We've built a trusted voice for Hawaii over the years, covering everything from volcanic eruptions to legislative sessions," Titterton said. "Losing this funding means we may have to scale back our investigative journalism team, which has been crucial in holding power accountable." Recent examples include HPR's in-depth coverage of the Lahaina wildfires and the subsequent recovery efforts, which relied on CPB-backed resources for on-the-ground reporting.

The ripple effects extend beyond programming. Public media in Hawaii employs hundreds of staff, from journalists and producers to engineers and educators. Preliminary estimates suggest that the funding cuts could lead to a 20-30% reduction in workforce across affected organizations. This comes at a time when the media industry is already grappling with declining ad revenues and the rise of digital platforms. Community advocates fear that diminished public media could exacerbate information deserts, particularly in rural areas like Molokai and Lanai, where access to reliable news is already scarce.

Historical context underscores the gravity of the situation. Since the 1970s, CPB funding has been instrumental in expanding public broadcasting in Hawaii. It supported the launch of HPR in 1981 and helped PBS Hawaii transition to digital broadcasting in the early 2000s. Over the years, these outlets have fostered partnerships with local schools, offering STEM education programs and literacy initiatives that align with Hawaii's emphasis on cultural competency. For Native Hawaiian communities, public media has been a platform for amplifying indigenous voices, broadcasting in 'Olelo Hawaii and covering issues like land rights and sovereignty.

In response to the impending cuts, Hawaii's public media leaders are exploring alternative revenue streams. Fundraising drives, corporate sponsorships, and state-level grants are on the table, but they may not fully bridge the gap. Governor Josh Green has voiced support for bolstering local funding, proposing a $5 million allocation in the next state budget to offset federal losses. "Public media is a public good, especially in a state as isolated as ours," Green stated during a recent press conference. "We'll work with our congressional delegation to advocate for reinstatement, but in the meantime, we must step up locally."

Senator Brian Schatz, a key figure in Hawaii's federal representation, has been outspoken against the CPB cuts. In a statement to the Star-Advertiser, Schatz criticized the move as shortsighted, pointing out that public broadcasting returns significant value through education and emergency services. "During hurricanes and tsunamis, these stations are lifelines," he said. "Cutting their funding jeopardizes public safety." Efforts to lobby for a reversal are underway, with a coalition of public media advocates planning a Capitol Hill push in the coming months.

Listeners and viewers are also mobilizing. A petition circulated by the Hawaii Public Media Alliance has garnered over 10,000 signatures, urging lawmakers to restore CPB funding. Longtime HPR supporter and Honolulu resident Leilani Kaapuni shared her perspective: "As a teacher, I use PBS Hawaii's programs in my classroom to teach about our islands' history. Losing that would be a huge blow to education." Similar sentiments are echoed in community forums, where residents reminisce about iconic shows like "Hawaii Five-0" reruns on public TV or HPR's classical music broadcasts that provide solace during commutes.

Experts in media economics warn that the cuts could accelerate a trend toward consolidation and commercialization. Dr. Elena Ramirez, a professor of communications at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, noted that without federal support, public stations might increasingly rely on underwriters, potentially compromising editorial independence. "Public media's strength lies in its non-commercial nature," Ramirez explained. "This funding loss could force a pivot that dilutes its mission."

Looking ahead, the transition period will be critical. PBS Hawaii plans to launch a membership campaign aiming to double its donor base, while HPR is investing in digital platforms to expand online listenership and generate ad-free revenue. Collaborations with national networks like NPR and PBS could provide some buffer, but leaders admit that the path forward is uncertain.

The end of CPB funding marks a pivotal moment for Hawaii's public media, testing its resilience and the community's commitment to sustaining it. As budgets tighten and priorities shift, the islands' airwaves may grow quieter, but advocates remain hopeful that innovation and advocacy will preserve this vital resource. In a state where storytelling and connection are cultural cornerstones, the fight to keep public media alive is far from over.

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Read the Full Honolulu Star-Advertiser Article at:
[ https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/08/02/hawaii-news/hawaii-public-media-face-big-cuts-as-cpb-funding-ends/ ]