hunterbishop.com

OK, candidates, never mind for now. Peter Serafin called this morning to say he and his staff are hoping and planning to have some kind of publication out next month in the wake of the Hawaii Island Journal's recent demise.

Serafin, the HIJ editor when it went under, wants his candidate surveys reserved for whatever publication comes out perhaps in early August. And if publication plans don't pan out by then, he'll release the responses for other outlets to publish in time for voters to benefit before going to the polls in September.

Of course candidates can send their responses wherever they want no matter who asks the questions but I'm not playing that game. I respect Serafin and the former HIJ staff too much to cockroach their material. Tony Marzi sent me his because he prepared it and wanted voters to read it. He had no indication that the newspaper might come back to life. There have been no firm plans for a new startup publication announced. So I accommodated Marzi and invited others to submit theirs as well.

Now if the HIJ or some other publication with the same people involved still intends to publish the responses, that's good news. Send them to Serafin as requested. I'll remain ready to pick up the slack if needed.