It's my pleasure to introduce The Hawaii Independent, a new source for information about the ideas, trends, people, and movements which are affecting our lives. Our goal is to tell the stories that are changing the world, and to do it in a way that is comprehensive, fair, and clear. We're moving past the soundbite, to see what's really going on.

That's our mission, and we're hard at work.

What we've done so far:

In our first week, we looked at some very big questions, and some interesting people. Alan McNarie, veteran investigative journalist, examined the legal questions surrounding a new telescope project on the summit of Mauna Kea, the highest mountain in the world and the site of a conflict over land, culture, and the meaning of knowledge. We took a look at some of the issues at stake in the bailout debate, and also covered some ideas which weren't getting any coverage in the daily papers or the 24 hour news stations. We interviewed a prominent Native Hawaiian attorney who will soon be arguing before the US Supreme Court on the ceded lands case. And in "No shutter stops between art and science," we spoke with a young artist who is bridging the gap between visual arts and the biosciences.

Looking forward, we're publishing a special piece by writer Joan Conrow about the controversy surrounding iwi – bones – covered by concrete at a development on Kauai's north shore. We're also looking at the changes afoot in Ecuador and Bolivia, two countries in a region that as a whole is revamping its relationship with the US and the global system. We're going to review a new show in Waikiki, and will publish a stark assessment of Hawaii's dependent economy.

Who we are:

We have a great team of journalists, videographers, photographers, and editors working to bring you a high-quality online news experience. Beverly Keever and Pete Britos are part of our editorial board, helping to steer the direction of our coverage. Chad Blair, formerly of Hawaii Public Radio, helps us to develop stories as our senior editor. Travis Quezon, former editor-in-chief of Ka Leo o Hawaii and recently a leader at the Honolulu Weekly, oversees daily operations. From the west coast, Samson Reiny, contributes his input on our developing stories. And Darlene Rodrigues, videographer and educator, helps to develop podcasts.

Hawaii is a rich writing community, which is the seedbed for the The Hawaii Independent's strong journalistic voice. Our contributing reporters, including Alan McNarie and Joan Conrow, are known well in the news community. And our op-ed columnists, including Kehaulani Kauanui, Umi Perkins, and Masa Kato, are some of the strongest voices in political and social commentary and scholarship.

We may live on an island, but we're still part of the world. That's why we'll also be publishing the voices of international commentators and journalists, such as Niki Akhavan, an Iranian social thinker and scholar living in Washington DC, and content from the Inter Press Service, a respected foreign journalists' association with a focus on the Global South.

Come visit us!

We hope that you're interested in what you've read here, and will come to visit us at thehawaiiindependent.com. We'll be expanding into 'old' media – print, radio, and TV – but our website is always just a click away. You're also invited to leave comments on our stories, and to share them with your friends and family.

Mahalo for your support.

Aloha,

Ikaika Hussey
Publisher