I attended the memorial service for Helene Hale last night. This is the Hawaii Tribune-Herald's rather meager summary of her life and accomplishments, which tends to make her come off as a "character." There is also a stock photo of her, which might give some the idea that she showed up at her own memorial service! Well, the HT was never much a newspaper. Journalism is on its last legs here. I will post other coverage as it becomes available.
It was a lovely occasion. Hers was a life well led.
It'a amazing how many good folks I have not heard of before. Helen Hale is one of them. I am looking forward to other coverage you might have -- she sounds like my kind of person -- barbara
Posted by: barbara | February 25, 2013 at 10:10 AM
Barbara: Part of the problem, I think, is that journalism has gotten so bad. And just lately, it has gone from bad to appalling.
Posted by: Hattie | February 25, 2013 at 10:20 AM
"There is also a stock photo of her, which might give some the idea that she showed up at her own memorial service!"
I see what you're saying. Perhaps a photo or two of the memorial. They did it for Inouye and Hale deserves as much. And all the talk about her swearing. Also, the way Scrabble and rocky road ice cream are given equal weight to her family and political career.
Were the article longer, the writer could have included these tidbits more naturally. The title's pun on Hale's name was lame, too.
"Journalism is on its last legs here."
How so? Do you think the paper is closing? Or is it that there are blogs, but that they don't reach a mass audience? What do you think of Big Island Weekly?
Posted by: Brandon | February 25, 2013 at 10:24 AM
The print version is titled "Hale Hailed at Hilo Service." That's what I was thinking of when I called it lame. And that file photo of her is tightly cropped in the newspaper. Seeing the full photo, I understand what you're saying about her seeming to show up at her own memorial.
Posted by: Brandon | February 25, 2013 at 10:29 AM
Brandon: It just seems as if everyone in the media is drowning in pop trivia. Part of this is the rise of social media. I'm as attracted to trivia as the next person, but we need a lot more investigative journalism and intelligent analysis of affairs than we are getting. And think of all the fine journalists we have on this island who can't get jobs or who are only marginally employed. I must say I have never been in a place where there are so many talented and original people just scraping by!
I tried linking to several older pieces that I have written about Helene but am having problems. I'll try to get them up.
Footnote: I will look at BIW and see what I think.
Posted by: Hattie | February 25, 2013 at 10:48 AM
Oh, and actual on the ground reporting! Tiffany was at the memorial service and did the introductions, so I'm hoping she will post something about the occasion. I did not see anyone taking videos.
Posted by: Hattie | February 25, 2013 at 11:25 AM
She was an extraordinary person and pioneer politician here in the islands. A for-real lady who always made her position clear. She was the real deal!
ALOHA from Honolulu - Side
Comfort Spiral
~ > <3
Posted by: cloudia | February 25, 2013 at 07:27 PM
Cloudia: yes, that is exactly right.
Posted by: Hattie | February 25, 2013 at 09:47 PM
Big Island Video News actually covered her memorial service, far better than the paper. The footage is not available on the BIVN website itself but BIVN is on public access each weeknight, which is how I saw the memorial coverage tonight.
Posted by: Brandon | February 26, 2013 at 01:07 AM
Brandon: I am glad of that.
Posted by: Hattie | February 26, 2013 at 08:29 AM